The impacts have been especially acute in rural areas where, as a result of these factors, the supply of new housing dropped in recent years. In the second half of 2022, the Council of State Governments noted that many rural areas have been “disproportionately impacted” by a lack of affordable housing. In response, the federal government is taking steps to boost the availability of rural housing—both single-family construction and more than 8,000 multi-family units—as part of the Housing Supply Action Plan.
There’s additional reason for optimism: Sensors, drones, IoT, and other digital technologies are modernizing the construction industry’s tool belt. 5G wireless networks can provide vital connections to remote job sites far from management offices in metropolitan areas, helping project managers build faster and more cost-effectively. And 5G can do that while also helping to establish a safer work environment through enhanced wearable technology and video monitoring.