Trump’s HUD nominee wants to help Americans escape government aid

Scott Turner, a former NFL player who has moved into the Texas state legislature, said in his confirmation hearing Thursday that his goal to become the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is to help people get off government assistance and become more self-sufficient.

Testifying before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Turner’s priority if confirmed will be to expand and expand the police force announced by the incoming Trump administration.

“This is a time not just to fix what’s broken, but to continue and expand the policies of the first Trump administration,” Turner said Thursday, adding that his “goal” as HUD secretary is to help people get out of government. Aid, self-reliance and achieving the American dream.

Turner previously served as executive director of the Trump administration’s Council on Opportunity and Revitalization, which established an economic reform plan aimed at helping low-income minority communities, which Turner said he would expand. Turner also said he plans to work with state, local and private partners to cut red tape to reduce housing costs.

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“I believe having that equity in the home should be owned by the homeowner because that’s how most families start building wealth,” Turner said.

But Democrats at the hearing questioned whether Turner could make housing more affordable.

At one point during the hearing, Turner was asked about his support for work requirements for Section 8 housing assistance, telling committee members he thought they were a good idea. When Turner tried to explain his reasoning, the senator was unable to respond.

On whether he would cut funding from certain programs, Turner didn’t give a definitive answer one way or the other. But HUD has pledged to “maximize” existing funding and will work with committee members to address concerns about funding for specific programs.

“There are many reasons why housing is so expensive right now, and I believe we need to get our own fiscal house in order first,” Turner told Sen. Elizabeth Warren Dimas on whether to provide additional support to reduce the cost of federal investment in building more affordable homes.

“I look forward to seeing the HOME program and other programs, but there is record funding from HUD. HUD’s budget is close to $70 billion at this point, and we’re still not meeting the needs that we need to meet.”

In addition to addressing Democrats’ questions, Turner plans to conduct a broad review of the agency’s current programs to assess what’s working and what isn’t, and to identify regulatory barriers that affect the delivery of affordable housing.

Much of this work involves meeting with state and local officials, Turner said, because they are uniquely aware of the housing needs and roadblocks in their communities.

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Turner said he plans to find ways to reduce construction costs and engage with the private sector in the housing market.

In addition to their questions about funding HUD programs, Democrats asked Turner whether he would work to remove alleged racial bias from the home appraisal industry and whether he intended to pursue “price gouging” from real estate investors.

Turner said he would discuss the issue with Democrats and then make a decision. However, Turner said they are included in HUD’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) measures.

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Sen. Tim Scott, R.S.C., chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, said in his opening remarks Thursday that “despite all the subsidies and all the trillions of dollars (the Biden administration) have poured out, not much good has happened.”

But, today, it’s a new day in America, and new leadership brings hope and opportunity and excitement to the American people.