HUD Nominee Calls Housing Crisis 'National Embarrassment'

Glenn Gilmour, 1/17/2025Folks, this is CRITICAL! Scott Turner, Trump's HUD nominee, is sounding the alarm on our housing catastrophe. With 770,000 Americans homeless and millions of illegal immigrants straining our system, we're facing a NATIONAL EMERGENCY! Turner's right - we need less regulation and more American-first solutions. The radical left just doesn't get it!

Turner — whose journey from NFL player to potential Cabinet member embodies an American success story — faced senators during a pivotal confirmation hearing that laid bare the mounting challenges in the nation's housing sector. With a staggering 770,000 Americans experiencing homelessness in January 2024, the crisis has reached what Turner describes as "a national embarrassment."

"We have the American people and families that are struggling every day," Turner declared before the Senate Committee, his voice carrying the weight of personal experience. "We're not building enough housing. We need millions of homes — multi-family, single family, duplex, condo, manufacturing housing, you name it."

The nominee's background — marked by early adversity and later triumph — shapes his approach to HUD's challenges. Rising from his beginnings as a dishwasher at Spring Creek Barbecue to a seventh-round NFL draft pick who forged a successful professional football career, Turner later served in the Texas legislature and directed the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump's first term.

Regulatory reform emerges as Turner's primary battlefield in the war against housing scarcity. "We want to make it more flexible and easier for developers to build affordable workforce attainable housing across our country," he emphasized, pointing to a complex web of obstacles — permitting fees, inspection requirements, and restrictive zoning practices — that currently impede development.

The nomination hearing revealed broader tensions surrounding HUD's direction. Democratic senators pressed Turner on funding concerns, with some arguing that the department's $70 billion budget requires expansion rather than mere optimization. Senator Elizabeth Warren expressed "real pause" at Turner's emphasis on maximizing current investments before seeking additional resources.

Immigration emerged as another flashpoint, with Turner asserting that the influx of illegal immigrants — "12 million to 20 million people," by his estimate — places unprecedented strain on housing infrastructure. "It's not only the right thing to do, it's not just what we're called to do, but it's the law," Turner insisted, emphasizing his priority of serving American citizens and families first.

The hearing also touched on international trade implications for housing costs, particularly regarding Trump's proposed import tariffs. When questioned about potential impacts on construction materials like lumber, Turner carefully navigated the political waters: "I don't want to get into tariff conversation because, obviously, that is not my job. That's the president's."

Looking ahead, Turner envisions a transformed HUD — one that not only addresses immediate crises but builds upon what he views as successful policies from Trump's first administration. His leadership would focus on streamlining processes, reducing regulatory burdens, and bringing the HUD workforce back to office-based operations.

The stakes couldn't be higher. As communities across America struggle with housing affordability and availability, Turner's nomination represents a critical moment in the nation's approach to these challenges. Whether his vision of regulatory reform and operational efficiency can address the deep-rooted issues facing American housing remains to be seen, but his message resonates with urgency: the status quo cannot continue.

In a stark assessment of America's housing landscape, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Scott Turner, delivered a sobering message to lawmakers — HUD stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with what he terms a fundamental failure of its core mission.Turner — whose journey from NFL player to potential Cabinet member embodies an American success story — faced senators during a pivotal confirmation hearing that laid bare the mounting challenges in the nation's housing sector. With a staggering 770,000 Americans experiencing homelessness in January 2024, the crisis has reached what Turner describes as "a national embarrassment.""We have the American people and families that are struggling every day," Turner declared before the Senate Committee, his voice carrying the weight of personal experience. "We're not building enough housing. We need millions of homes — multi-family, single family, duplex, condo, manufacturing housing, you name it."The nominee's background — marked by early adversity and later triumph — shapes his approach to HUD's challenges. Rising from his beginnings as a dishwasher at Spring Creek Barbecue to a seventh-round NFL draft pick who forged a successful professional football career, Turner later served in the Texas legislature and directed the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump's first term.Regulatory reform emerges as Turner's primary battlefield in the war against housing scarcity. "We want to make it more flexible and easier for developers to build affordable workforce attainable housing across our country," he emphasized, pointing to a complex web of obstacles — permitting fees, inspection requirements, and restrictive zoning practices — that currently impede development.The nomination hearing revealed broader tensions surrounding HUD's direction. Democratic senators pressed Turner on funding concerns, with some arguing that the department's $70 billion budget requires expansion rather than mere optimization. Senator Elizabeth Warren expressed "real pause" at Turner's emphasis on maximizing current investments before seeking additional resources.Immigration emerged as another flashpoint, with Turner asserting that the influx of illegal immigrants — "12 million to 20 million people," by his estimate — places unprecedented strain on housing infrastructure. "It's not only the right thing to do, it's not just what we're called to do, but it's the law," Turner insisted, emphasizing his priority of serving American citizens and families first.The hearing also touched on international trade implications for housing costs, particularly regarding Trump's proposed import tariffs. When questioned about potential impacts on construction materials like lumber, Turner carefully navigated the political waters: "I don't want to get into tariff conversation because, obviously, that is not my job. That's the president's."Looking ahead, Turner envisions a transformed HUD — one that not only addresses immediate crises but builds upon what he views as successful policies from Trump's first administration. His leadership would focus on streamlining processes, reducing regulatory burdens, and bringing the HUD workforce back to office-based operations.The stakes couldn't be higher. As communities across America struggle with housing affordability and availability, Turner's nomination represents a critical moment in the nation's approach to these challenges. Whether his vision of regulatory reform and operational efficiency can address the deep-rooted issues facing American housing remains to be seen, but his message resonates with urgency: the status quo cannot continue.