The overlooked obstacle keeping America from building the homes it needs

High mortgage rates aren't the only reason homeownership remains out of reach for many Americans.

Behind the scenes, homebuilders are grappling with an overlooked challenge — a shortage of skilled workers — that is slowing construction and making it harder to close the nation's housing gap.

Builders say the labor shortage is creating a ripple effect throughout the housing market, delaying projects, raising construction costs and limiting the number of new homes coming online at a time when demand continues to outpace supply...