• Controversial Appointment: Scott Turner Confirmed as HUD Secretary Amid Divisive Policy Shifts

  • Feb 11 2025
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

Controversial Appointment: Scott Turner Confirmed as HUD Secretary Amid Divisive Policy Shifts

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  • Scott Turner was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 5, 2025, to serve as the 19th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with a bipartisan vote of 55-44. He was sworn in by Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas. Turner expressed his honor and humility in serving the American people and the Trump Administration, emphasizing his commitment to restoring HUD to its core mission of supporting strong, sustainable communities and providing quality, affordable homes.

    Turner brings a diverse background to his new role, having led the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, where he spearheaded the Opportunity Zones Initiative aimed at fostering economic growth in underserved communities. He also served as an Associate Pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church, Founder and CEO of the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council, and as a housing development executive at JPI. A lifelong Texan, Turner represented the 33rd District in the Texas State Legislature and played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

    One of Turner's immediate and contentious actions as HUD Secretary was to direct the department to halt any pending or future enforcement actions related to the 2016 Equal Access Rule. This rule allowed individuals to self-identify their gender to access federally funded housing programs, including single-sex shelters. Turner described the rule as overly restrictive and tied to "far-left gender ideology," arguing it eroded protections for vulnerable individuals in shelters. The new directive ensures that housing and shelter programs funded by HUD will base service eligibility on biological sex at birth—male or female. This move has drawn both praise from those advocating for the safety and privacy of women in shelters and criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates and civil rights groups who view the rule’s repeal as discriminatory.

    Turner's decision is part of a broader effort to align HUD's policies with President Trump’s housing agenda, which includes reducing burdensome regulations that hinder homeownership and housing development. He has also spoken of reevaluating HUD programs to ensure they are advancing the goal of creating thriving communities rather than perpetuating inefficiency. Chairman Tim Scott of the Senate Banking Committee expressed support for Turner's approach, highlighting the need to cut bureaucratic red tape and advance commonsense housing solutions to put more Americans on the path to homeownership.

    Turner's leadership comes at a critical time when housing markets across the country face significant affordability challenges, with millions of Americans struggling to keep up with rising rents and a limited supply of homes. His commitment to expanding housing supply, empowering individuals and families economically, and ensuring the wise stewardship of taxpayer dollars will be key in addressing these systemic issues. Despite the early controversy, Turner's multifaceted experience and history of bipartisan collaboration suggest he may be able to command broader appeal in a politically divided era.
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