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Data centers stymie affordable housing, advocates say

Advocates say data center construction is drawing skilled trades away from residential building, undermining affordable housing efforts.

Published Aug 19, 2026, 5:23 PM EDT | WFMZZ

Advocates say home building associations are losing skilled trades workers to data center construction, reducing capacity for residential projects. They warn the labor shift is stymieing efforts to build affordable housing and express concern about meeting housing demand. The observations come from housing advocates noting the impact of data center growth on construction labor supply.