Scott Turner, President Trump’s pick for HUD Secretary, recently shared his vision for tackling America’s housing crisis. Speaking to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Turner stressed the critical need to build millions of homes to provide affordable living options for families and individuals.

From a prepared statement, Turner read, “We have a housing crisis in our country, where American people and families are struggling every day. HUD is failing at its most basic mission.” Turner also stated, “We need millions more homes of all kinds, single family, apartments, condos, duplexes, manufactured housing, you name it.”  

His speech focused on easing regulatory burdens, lowering interest rates, and reducing material costs to make housing accessible to more Americans.

What you need to know: Addressing federal and state regulatory barriers, Turner promised to prioritize cutting through red tape to make affordable housing more achievable. When questioned about HUD’s existing programs like Housing Choice Vouchers and efforts to combat veteran homelessness, he assured the committee that he would work to maximize funding and improve program outcomes.

Turner pledged to conduct a comprehensive review of HUD policies, identifying areas in need of reform to streamline processes and redirect efforts toward effective solutions. His emphasis on affordability went hand-in-hand with a strong message of accountability, stressing that HUD programs must deliver measurable, tangible benefits for the communities they serve.

What’s ahead: As Turner’s nomination moves forward, he is expected to be confirmed following the committee’s approval. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), chairman of the committee, posted a clip of his opening statement from the hearing where he called Turner “the change we need at HUD.”