Scott Turner, a former NFL player turned Texas state lawmaker, said Thursday during his confirmation hearing that the next Housing and urban development (HUD) Secretary, his goal will be to help people avoid government assistance and become more self-sufficient.
Testifying before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Turner said that if confirmed, his priority will be to advance and expand the policies announced by the new 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 will be ” to help people get off the dole, become self-sustaining, and achieve the American dream.”
Turner previously served as executive director of the Trump administration’s newly established Council on Opportunity and Revitalization “Zones of possibility”, 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 work with state, local and private partners to lower housing costs.
‘CLEAR VISION’: CONSERVATIVES RALLY AROUND HEGSETH AFTER ‘CRASHING’ FIERY CONFIRMATION HEARING
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 hearing for his pending confirmation on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Washington . (Associated Press)
“I believe that having that equity in a 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 more affordable.
At one point during the hearing, Turner was asked about his support for work requirements for those receiving Section 8 housing assistance, telling committee members he thought they were a good idea. When Turner tried to explain his thinking, he was interrupted by a questioning senator and unable to answer.
Turner did not give a concrete answer in one way or the other about whether he will reduce the funding of certain programs. But he pledged to “maximize” the funding HUD has and will work with board members to address concerns about funding for certain programs.
“There are many factors why housing is so expensive right now, and I believe we have to get our own fiscal house in order first,” Turner told Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., when she asked Turner if he would support additional federal investment to reduce construction costs. more affordable apartments.
“I look forward to seeing the HOME program and other programs, but there is record funding from HUD. The HUD budget is almost $70 billion right now, and we’re still not meeting the needs that we should 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 hearing in Washington, DC, 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 barriers that affect supply affordable housing.
Turner said much of this work will involve working with state and local officials, as they are uniquely familiar with the housing needs and barriers in their communities.
TRUMP’S NOMINATION CONFIRMATION DELAYS PILE UP DUE TO PAPERWORK DELAYS IN FEDERAL OFFICES
Turner also said he plans to find ways to cut back construction cost and cooperate with entities from the private sector within the housing market.
Eric Scott Turner, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, arrives to testify at a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs confirmation hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on January 16, 2025 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)
Along with their questions about HUD program funding, Democrats asked Turner about whether he would work to remove alleged racial bias from the appraisal industry and whether he intended to go after “price gouging” from real estate investors.
Turner said he would commit to looking into the issue with Democrats and make a decision from there. However, Turner took issue with the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) measures he said were built into HUD.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Despite all the subsidies and all the trillions of dollars [the Biden administration] wasted, not much good happened,” Sen. Tim Scott, RS.C., chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, said Thursday during his opening remarks.
“But today is a new day in America, and new leadership is restoring hope, opportunity and enthusiasm to the American people.”
