President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former NFL player Scott Turner to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This announcement was made on November 22, 2024, marking another chapter as Trump restructures his administration following the recent elections.
Turner, who played nine seasons as a cornerback for teams including the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers, and Denver Broncos, is not new to public service. He served as the first executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC) during Trump's first term. This role involved overseeing initiatives aimed at revitalizing distressed communities, particularly through the Opportunity Zones program initiated under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
With Turner at the helm, Trump expressed confidence, stating, “Scott will work alongside me to Make America Great Again for EVERY American.” If confirmed by the Senate, Turner will oversee HUD's considerable budget, managing various programs aimed at providing rental assistance, addressing homelessness, and enforcing fair housing laws, which are increasingly relevant issues as housing costs continue to rise across the country.
During his tenure as executive director of WHORC, Turner was instrumental in steering significant private investments—over $50 billion—into opportunity zones, areas classified as economically distressed. While this effort received bipartisan praise, critics have pointed out its shortcomings, asserting it primarily benefited wealthy investors rather than local communities struggling with high unemployment and inadequate housing.
Historically, the HUD has faced challenges during Trump’s previous presidency, with many proposals aiming to cut funding and restrict housing assistance. For example, past budget proposals included deep cuts to HUD’s initiatives, efforts which Congress did not pass. Nonetheless, the political climate suggests Turner may face fewer obstacles this time around, especially with Republican control of both chambers of Congress.
Turner's policies are likely to reflect Trump's campaign promises, which include reversing initiatives set forth by the Biden administration, such as fair housing regulations and homelessness programs. During his campaign, Trump often targeted Democratic-run cities, characterizing them as plagued by homelessness and crime, and expressed intent to implement stringent measures around urban camping and create sanctioned tent cities for the homeless.
Aside from his political background, Turner has been actively engaged with the America First Policy Institute, where he chairs the Center for Education Opportunity. This think tank was founded by Trump’s previous administration staff with the objective of championing similar policy goals. Specifically, the institute advocates for addressing the underlying causes of homelessness rather than adhering to the “housing first” model favored by many Democrats—which prioritizes providing stable housing to individuals before assisting them with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Meanwhile, Turner's nomination has evoked mixed reactions. Although some housing industry lobbyists were unclear about his policy positions—leading to scrambling for information—others like David Dworkin, president of the National Housing Conference, expressed optimism, praising Turner’s commitment to community development and support for investing in underserved areas.
Turner’s political career also includes being elected to the Texas House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017. His post-political career has been marked by leadership roles aimed at community revitalization and social welfare, underlining his commitment to public service.
Looking forward, as Turner prepares to assume control of HUD, observers are speculating about the potential impacts of his leadership on the housing sector. Should he implement the proposals outlined during the campaign, significant changes could occur, particularly concerning funding for various assistance programs and the approach to local zoning regulations.
Community advocates stand on alert, ready for what his appointment might mean. The fear is real among those concerned about rising poverty levels and the effectiveness of federal assistance programs, particularly for low-income families and individuals facing housing insecurity. Critics of the anticipated new approach argue it could exacerbate existing issues if not carefully managed.
Overall, Turner’s nomination signifies Trump’s broader strategy of reinforcing his base and aligning his administration closer with conservative values, particularly concerning social welfare and regulatory policies impacting housing. He is poised to face substantial pressure from advocacy groups, as well as significant challenges from the housing market's current state as it grapples with historic levels of need.
With Turner’s confirmation pending, his policies will be closely watched, and the ripple effects of his leadership at HUD will undoubtedly shape housing discussions for years to come.
