Kiggans, Tokuda, Randall, Pingree, and Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Shipyard Workforce Housing Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Emily Randall (WA-06), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and Don Bacon (NE-02) introduced the Defense Shipyard Workforce Housing Act, a bipartisan bill to address housing availability for the skilled civilian workforce that powers America’s four public naval shipyards.

As the Navy faces increasing recruitment and retention challenges in our shipyards, this bill tackles a core issue: civilian workers at these shipyards often cannot afford to live near their places of employment. This weakens workforce stability and prevents shipyards from recruiting talent from across America.

“The strength of our Navy depends on the strength of our shipbuilding workforce, and that includes making sure workers can afford to live near the yards where they serve our national security mission,” said Congresswoman Jen Kiggans. “I’m proud to lead the Defense Shipyard Workforce Housing Act to break down housing barriers and support the skilled men and women who keep our fleet ready. Whether it’s in Norfolk or across the country, this bill will improve workforce stability, readiness, and retention.”

“America’s public shipyards—including Portsmouth Naval Shipyard—depend on a skilled, dedicated civilian workforce to keep our Navy strong and mission ready. But when housing costs drive workers hours away from the job site, readiness suffers,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. “The Defense Shipyard Workforce Housing Act is a commonsense, bipartisan step toward addressing the housing crisis impacting our shipyard communities. By exploring practical solutions like on-site or nearby workforce housing, we can improve recruitment, retention, and overall mission success. This isn’t just about housing policy; it’s about national security.”

“Access to affordable housing should never be a barrier to employment or opportunity — yet for far too many people in the Puget Sound region, including those who power the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility, that’s exactly what it is,” said Congresswoman Emily Randall. “When workers can’t afford to live near where they work, it puts immense strain on families and makes it even harder to retain the skilled workforce our shipyards depend on. The Defense Shipyard Workforce Housing Act is a smart, necessary step forward—requiring the Pentagon to explore on-base housing solutions that could ease this burden.”

“Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard is Hawai‘i’s largest industrial employer and a cornerstone of our national defense in the Indo-Pacific,” said Congresswoman Jill Tokuda. “But too often, the shipyard workers who keep it running aren’t paid enough to keep up with Hawai‘i’s high cost of living. That’s why I’m proud to join Congresswoman Kiggans to introduce the Defense Shipyard Workforce Housing Act—to push the Department of Defense to be a better employer by helping workers afford housing and stay in the communities they serve.”

“A civilian workforce is important to maintaining a strong naval fleet and currently our four public shipyards are facing recruitment and retention challenges because of the lack of affordable housing near these sites,” said Congressman Don Bacon. “This study will look at the feasibility, economic and workforce benefits, building and operational costs as well as other issues to determine the impact on affordable housing for these employees.”

You can find the full text of this bill here.
You can find a one-pager on this bill here.

Background:

• The U.S. Navy’s four public shipyards, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (VA), Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (HI), Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (ME), and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (WA), are essential to fleet maintenance and readiness.
• Yet housing shortages and rising rents in surrounding communities are making it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain the skilled civilian workforce needed to meet mission demands.
• This bipartisan bill takes the first step in addressing this challenge by requiring the Department of Defense to conduct a comprehensive study on housing options for the public shipyard civilian workforce.

Specifically, this legislation would:

• Require the Department of Defense to study the feasibility of providing apartment-style or dormitory housing for civilian defense workers at the four public naval shipyards.
• Examine construction, leasing, or operation costs and explore paycheck-deducted rent models.
• Identify legal barriers and develop legislative recommendations.
• Include an assessment of workforce impacts such as morale, productivity, recruitment, and retention.
• Require at least two locations to be selected for in-depth case studies.
• Mandate a final report to Congress within 18 months of enactment.