Scott Turner, the former NFL player turned Texas state lawmaker, said Thursday during his confirmation hearing to be next. Housing and urban development (HUD) Its goal will be to help people escape government assistance and become more self-sustainable.
Testifying before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Turner said that if confirmed, his priority would be to strengthen and expand policies heralded by the incoming Trump administration.
“This moment is not just about fixing what's broken, it's about continuing and expanding policies from the first Trump administration — policies that worked,” Turner said Thursday, adding that his “goal” as HUD secretary would be to “help people get out of government.” Help, become self-sustainable and achieve the American dream.”
Turner previously served as executive director of the Trump administration's Opportunity and Revitalization Council “Opportunity Zones” An economic revitalization plan aimed at helping low-income minority communities, which Turner said he hopes to expand. Turner also said he plans to cut red tape and engage with state, local and private partners to lower the cost of housing.
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Eric Scott Turner, President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, is sworn in during a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Washington. (Associated Press)
“I think having that equity in the home should be available to the homeowner because that's how most families start building wealth,” Turner said.
But Democrats at the hearing questioned whether Turner could make housing affordable.
At one point during the hearing, Turner was asked about his support for work requirements for those receiving Section 8 housing assistance, and he told committee members he thought it was a good idea. When Turner tried to explain his reasons, the senator interrupted him while questioning him and was unable to respond.
As for whether he would cut funding for certain programs, Turner did not provide a specific answer one way or the other. But he committed to “maximizing” funding provided by HUD and will work with committee members to address concerns about funding specific programs.
“There are a lot of factors that make housing so expensive right now, and I think we first need to get our fiscal house in order,” Turner told Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., when she asked Turner if he would support more funding. Federal investment to lower the cost of building more affordable housing.
“I'm looking forward to looking at HOME and other programs, but there's record funding from HUD. HUD's budget is nearly $70 billion at this point, and we're still not meeting the needs we're supposed to be meeting.”
Eric Scott Turner, President-elect Trump's nominee for U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, during a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., Thursday, January 16, 2025. (Getty Images)
Turner said that in addition to addressing Democrats' concerns, he intends to conduct an agency-wide review of current programs to assess what's working and what's not working well and identify any regulatory hurdles affecting the food supply. Affordable housing.
Much of this work will involve engaging with state and local officials, since they are uniquely familiar with the housing needs and roadblocks within their communities, Turner said.
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Turner also said he plans to find ways to reduce Construction cost And dealing with private sector entities in the housing market.
Eric Scott Turner, President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, arrives to testify at the Senate confirmation hearing on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on January 16, 2025. in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)
In addition to their questions about funding for HUD programs, Democrats asked Turner about whether he would work to remove alleged racial bias from the housing appraisal industry and whether he intends to go after “price gouging” from real estate investors.
Turner said he would commit to looking into the issue with Democrats and making a decision from there. However, Turner took issue with the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) measures he said are built into HUD.
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“Despite all the relief and all the trillions of dollars (the Biden administration) has spent, not a lot of good has happened.” Senator Tim Scott, RSCThe Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee said Thursday during his opening remarks.
“But today is a new day in America, and new leadership is bringing hope, opportunity, and enthusiasm back to the American people.”
