Turner: Reducing Regulatory Burdens in the Housing Market is a Key Priority for HUD

Scott Turner, a former NFL player, emphasized the importance of reducing “regulatory burdens” in housing development as his main objective if appointed to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). He made these remarks during his testimony before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in Washington on January 16.

Turner also addressed inquiries regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s suggested import tariffs, as well as a commitment made by Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy to reduce the federal workforce by 75% during his presidential campaign.

The former professional football player, who previously held the position of executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term, noted that the United States reached an all-time high of homelessness in 2024.

“That represents a national disgrace and something that cannot persist,” Turner asserted. “We are facing a housing crisis in this country, where countless Americans and families struggle daily.

“HUD is falling short of its fundamental mission.”

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These Opportunity Zones refer to economically distressed areas that state governors can nominate for certification by the Treasury Secretary, which may qualify for preferential tax treatment for new investments.

Turner has experience working with Opportunity Zones during the initial Trump administration.

Easing ‘Regulatory Burdens’

Turner’s foremost goal at HUD, if confirmed, will be to mitigate the “regulatory burden” in the housing sector to reduce construction costs and expedite building processes.

“We aim to make it simpler and more adaptable for developers to construct affordable workforce housing throughout our nation,” he explained. “Currently, we are falling short of that demand.”

As a developer himself, Turner highlighted several “regulatory burdens” that escalate home construction expenses.

“Fees for permits, inspection costs, and local zoning challenges—every locality has its distinct circumstances—but these are some of the issues that developers and builders face that inhibit progress in affordable and workforce housing in terms of regulatory reform,” Turner remarked.

Turner responded that HUD’s substantial budget, exceeding $70 billion, should be optimized fully before seeking additional resources.

Warren expressed concern about this response, indicating her belief that extra funding is necessary to bridge the “glaring gap in affordable housing,” particularly for programs like the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

Turner stated he would evaluate the HOME program within HUD, though he acknowledged that the agency’s extensive budget is not “fulfilling the needs it was designed to address.”

Illegal Immigration, Homelessness

Regarding HUD’s report of unprecedented homelessness last year, Turner indicated that illegal immigration plays a role.

“When there are 12 million to 20 million people crossing into the country illegally … [it] imposes significant strain on [the] economy, housing, homelessness, and health in our nation,” he asserted.

Turner emphasized the need for the government to prioritize the well-being of American citizens and families.

“It is both a moral obligation and a legal requirement,” Turner remarked. “At present, we still fall short in adequately serving the American populace and families we are meant to support.”

Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) asked whether this implied evicting mixed-status families—those with a U.S. citizen child and an undocumented parent—from federal housing.

“Often, we must make challenging decisions as we seek not to disrupt families; however, we must also fulfill our commitment to serve the American people and uphold existing laws,” Turner replied.

Tariffs, Potential Workforce Layoffs

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) brought up Trump’s proposed increases in import tariffs while questioning Turner’s pledge to lower homebuilding material costs. He noted Trump’s first-term tariff hikes on lumber, which President Joe Biden subsequently escalated.

Van Hollen expressed support for targeted tariffs but voiced concerns about Trump’s intentions to raise tariffs across the board, negatively impacting housing development expenses.

“Would you agree that increasing tariffs on lumber, a key component in housing costs, raises the total cost of housing?” he queried.

Turner suggested that various factors contribute to rising housing costs but did not directly respond to the question.

“I prefer not to delve into tariff discussions as that falls under the president’s purview,” he stated.

“My focus is on addressing any elements contributing to housing cost increases, including construction expenses, fees, and regulatory limits.”

Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) questioned Turner about Ramaswamy’s 2024 campaign proposal to terminate up to 75 percent of government jobs to reduce expenditures. She inquired if Turner would support the dismissal of 75 percent of HUD employees should DOGE pursue that plan.

“I advocate for empowering individuals to perform their designated roles effectively,” Turner replied. “However, I do not wish to suggest actions that I am not prepared to undertake myself. I will lead by example.

“My goal is to ensure we have the right people in the appropriate roles to achieve our objectives.”

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