Wyoming Chamber Supports National Push to Solve America’s Housing Crisis

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched a bold new initiative aimed at tackling one of the most persistent barriers to economic growth across the nation, and here at home: the lack of affordable, attainable housing. The Wyoming Chamber of Commerce is proud to stand behind this effort and will continue lending our voice to advocate for real solutions that strengthen Wyoming’s workforce, communities, and economy.

At the inaugural Building for Growth: Housing Solutions for a Stronger Economy summit, national and local leaders made one thing crystal clear: America’s housing shortage isn’t just a social issue, it’s an economic one. When workers can’t find a place to live, businesses can’t hire. When businesses can’t hire, communities can’t grow.

The Challenge and the Opportunity: Across the country, high interest rates, limited buildable land, permitting delays, and a dwindling skilled trades workforce are tightening the housing supply. Regulatory costs alone can make up nearly a quarter of the price of a new home, slowing production and pushing prices higher.

The good news? There is bipartisan momentum to address it. Federal lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are actively working to streamline regulations and increase supply, including through the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act of 2025. But as leaders at the summit emphasized, the real solutions will come at the local level, where zoning decisions, permitting reforms, and land-use planning happen.

WY It Matters: Wyoming businesses have felt the strain of housing shortages for years. Employers across every industry report losing talent because workers simply can’t find a home within a reasonable commute. From Cheyenne to Casper to Gillette, limited housing availability remains one of the top barriers to recruitment, retention, and long-term economic growth.

Our Commitment: The Wyoming Chamber of Commerce will continue to:

• Advocate for policies that make it easier to build housing our workforce can afford.

• Work with local and state partners to modernize zoning and streamline permitting.

• Support workforce development in the skilled trades.

• Ensure Wyoming voices are heard at the federal level.

Housing is not a 20-year problem, it’s a right-now problem. And solving it is essential to securing Wyoming’s economic future. This isn’t just about politics, it’s about people, jobs, and preserving the American Dream. The Wyoming Chamber is proud to lend our voice, our leadership, and our advocacy to this mission.