During his confirmation hearing to become the next Housing and Urban Development Secretary, former NFL veteran turned Texas state legislator, Scott Turner, expressed his commitment to advancing and expanding policies supported by the incoming Trump administration. Turner outlined his priorities, emphasizing the need to assess current programs to determine their effectiveness and identify regulatory barriers impacting affordable housing supply.
Turner highlighted the importance of collaborating with state and local officials to address housing needs and challenges within communities. He also emphasized the significance of reducing construction costs and engaging with private sector entities to enhance homeowners' access to equity, thereby promoting wealth-building opportunities.
Having previously served as the Executive Director of the Opportunity and Revitalization Council under the Trump administration, Turner aims to build upon the resources established by the council if confirmed as HUD Secretary.
During the confirmation hearing, Democrats raised concerns about federal spending on affordable housing, including HUD's section 8 vouchers, and questioned Turner on addressing racial bias in housing appraisals and combating price gouging by real estate investors. While Turner did not provide definitive answers, he pledged to collaborate with committee members to ensure HUD programs effectively tackle the complexities of rising housing costs.
Turner's vision includes empowering individuals to transition from government assistance to self-sustainability, emphasizing the importance of homeownership equity in wealth creation. His goal is to facilitate opportunities for families to build financial stability and reduce reliance on public support.
