Scott Turner has been confirmed as the 19th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) following a Senate vote of 55-44. He was sworn in by Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.
“I am honored and humbled to serve the American people and the Trump Administration as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,” Turner stated. He emphasized his commitment to lowering housing costs and expanding supply, aligning with President Trump's executive order from his first day in office.
Turner expressed his vision for HUD: “The path ahead of us presents an opportunity to restore HUD to its core mission of supporting strong and sustainable communities and quality, affordable homes — serving our nation’s most vulnerable.” He stressed the importance of reducing regulations to facilitate homeownership and foster community prosperity.
He added, “God blessed us with this great nation, and together, we can increase self-sufficiency and empower Americans to climb the economic ladder toward a brighter future.”
Turner testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on January 16, 2025. His background includes leading the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC), where he focused on the Opportunity Zones Initiative. Additionally, he served as an Associate Pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church, founded the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council, worked as a housing development executive at JPI, represented Texas's 33rd District in the State Legislature, and played nine seasons in the NFL.
