Scott Turner was confirmed Wednesday to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The former NFL player, Texas representative and White House aide was confirmed by the Senate in a 55-44 vote.
Turner, 52, was named the secretary of the federal agency, which develops and manages programs to provide affordable housing to lower-income families. The agency also administers fair housing laws. Much of HUD’s budget is used for housing assistance programs for lower-income families, the elderly and disabled. It also supports community development and homelessness initiatives.
Turner takes over HUD at a time when the lack of affordable housing has hit lower-income families particularly hard.
Bob Broeksmit, the president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), had supported Turner’s appointment to lead HUD. He congratulated the new secretary on his confirmation.
“We will continue to advocate for policies and solutions that improve housing supply and affordability and stand ready to work with leadership and staff at HUD, the Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae as they carry out their important roles in supporting single-family and multifamily housing markets while protecting taxpayers,” Broeksmit said in a statement.
Carl Harris, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) applauded Turner’s Senate confirmation and said NAHB looks forward to working with the HUD secretary.
“With the nation confronting a shortfall of roughly 1.5 million housing units and facing a housing affordability crisis, Secretary Turner understands the urgent need to boost housing production to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing opportunities for all Americans,” Harris said in a statement. “NAHB looks forward to working with Secretary Turner and his new team to eliminate excessive regulations that are raising housing costs, ensure stable and liquid markets for single-family and multifamily housing, and promote policies that will help keep the housing industry and economy moving forward.”
During Trump’s first term, Turner served as the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, which was tasked with developing opportunity zones that would attract private investment to low-income city neighborhoods. Those investing in the program received tax credits.
He is the second former professional football player to lead HUD. The first was Rep. Jack Kemp, R-N.Y., who served in the role during the George H.W. Bush administration from 1989 to 1993.
