During his confirmation hearing for the position of housing secretary, Scott Turner addressed key housing issues before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee. Turner, a former NFL player who led the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump's first term, shared personal anecdotes and outlined his approach to tackling housing affordability, homelessness, and discrimination initiatives.
Highlights of the Hearing
Turner emphasized his commitment to addressing homelessness, citing a personal experience of assisting a homeless veteran in his family. He criticized HUD for failing in its mission, pointing to a recent report showing an 18.1% increase in homelessness in the U.S. He also highlighted the need for more efficient housing subsidies and expressed support for work requirements in HUD programs.
Reforming HUD Programs
Turner faced questions about reforming HUD's housing subsidies, with Democrats pressing him on support for Section 8 voucher programs. While he did not commit to increasing the number of vouchers, Turner emphasized the importance of streamlining the process for landlords. He also affirmed his commitment to upholding existing laws regarding HUD subsidies.
Fair Housing and Trump Administration
As the only Black nominee in Trump's Cabinet, Turner pledged to uphold fair housing laws but did not provide specifics on potential changes to anti-discrimination initiatives. When asked about potential budget cuts for HUD, Turner stated his intention to advocate for maximizing the budget allocated to the department.
Overall, Turner's confirmation hearing shed light on his personal experiences and policy priorities regarding housing issues, offering insight into his approach as a potential housing secretary.
