Trump’s decision to head HUD has come against programs to help the poor

Scott Turner, chosen to lead the team US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the incoming Trump administration, has previously expressed bleak and skeptical views about government programs designed to help people facing poverty and homelessness.

These views may reflect a lack of commitment to HUD programs that aim to provide assistance to Americans facing economic challenges related to housing, according to analysis and expert interviews from ProPublica, a non-profit investigative journalism center. The report was based on “a review of legal records and Turner’s public speeches, podcast appearances and sermons at the Plano, Texas, megachurch where he pastors,” ProPublica explained.

The report cites Turner’s history as a member of the legislature Texas House of Representatives, where he voted against many programs such as some of the federal programs he would oversee as HUD secretary.

“Turner supported a bill that would ensure landlords can refuse apartments to applicants because they receive federal housing assistance,” the report said. “He opposed the bill to increase affordable rental housing. He voted against funding private sector funding to support the homeless and two bills that say it’s just learning to be homeless for young people and veterans.”

Turner has expressed doubts several times about the ability of government programs to help the poor. In a 2023 appearance on the “Well Versed World Podcast,” Turner described welfare programs as “dangerous” and “one of the most damaging things to a family,” according to the report. He repeated the same doubts as a pastor at the influential Prestonwood Baptist Church.

When reached, Turner’s representatives dismissed the report, saying that issuing a ruling on Turner’s possible actions as HUD secretary before he examined it during an expected confirmation hearing revealed publication bias.

“Of course ProPublica can try to paint a negative picture of Mr. Turner before he is given a chance to testify,” Turner’s representative said. “We would expect less from a book that acts as a free mouth.”

Some experts who spoke to the outlet argued that Turner’s views conflicted with HUD’s broader mission.

“If, on a basic level, you believe that people are getting help with their rent when they’re very poor and struggling, if you think that’s really dependency and it’s a bad thing, you’re going to try to undermine those programs,” Shamus. Roller, executive director of National Housing Law Projecthe said as he left.

But one of Turner’s former Democratic colleagues in the Texas House endorsed him based on experience working with him on the committee.

“My impression of him is that he will try to help people,” said Richard Peña Raymond, who represents western Webb County, which includes the city of Laredo, in the legislature. “I think he’s going to do a great job.”

Turner’s perspective on such programs seems to be derived from his youth. He grew up outside of Dallas and described himself in a 2022 podcast appearance as “a young kid from a broken home, from a poor family.” He used his athletic ability to a successful career in The National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons before entering politics.

While still playing football, Turner tried to get into politics by working as an intern in the office of a member of the California House of Representatives. He ran unsuccessfully for a congressional seat in 2006 before returning to Texas, where he was elected to the state legislature in 2013.

That’s when he “solidified his position as a staunch opponent of more government intervention in the housing market,” the report said, based on its review of legislative voting records.

Shortly after his appointment was announced by President-elect Donald Trump, leaders in US Senate weighed in on Turner’s nomination.

Sen. Tim Scott (RS.C.) — the current ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which he is expected to chair in the new term — said he looks forward to working with Turner and speaking quickly. his appointment. And Ben Carson, HUD secretary during Trump’s first term, praised Turner as the “perfect” choice for the position.

But Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) took a cautious stance. He said he looks forward to hearing Turner’s views on the current housing issues that HUD will have to address over the next four years.

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