Scott Turner Faces Senate Hearing as Trump's HUD Nominee

The former NFL player and Texas legislator outlines plans to reform housing policies while emphasizing self-sufficiency and reduced federal spending.

Scott Turner, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead HUD, testified in his Senate confirmation hearing, pledging to expand free-market housing policies and reduce reliance on government assistance.
Turner criticized HUD's current performance, citing rising homelessness and a national housing shortage, while emphasizing the need for regulatory reform to lower housing costs.
Democratic senators questioned Turner's reluctance to support increased federal investment in affordable housing, despite HUD's record $70 billion budget and ongoing housing crises.
Turner highlighted his experience with the Opportunity Zone program from the first Trump administration, which incentivized investment in low-income areas but faced criticism for limited impact.
While Turner promised to review HUD programs and address racial bias in housing appraisals, he avoided committing to significant changes in funding or addressing corporate influence in the housing market.