Former NFL player and Texas congressman Scott Turner said Thursday during his confirmation hearing that he will be the next congressman housing and urban development (HUD) secretary, whose goal is to help people transition off government assistance and become more self-sufficient.

Testifying before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Turner said his first priority, if confirmed, would be to advance and expand policies championed by the incoming Trump administration.

“This moment is not just about repairing what is broken, but about continuing and expanding on the policies of the first Trump administration — the policies that worked,” Turner said Thursday, adding that he serves as the housing and city The “goal” of the Development Minister will be to “help people break free from the shackles of government”. aid, become self-sustainable and realize the American dream. ”

Turner previously served as executive director of the Trump Administration’s Opportunity and Revitalization Council, which established “Opportunity Zone” An economic revitalization program designed to help low-income, minority communities, which Turner said he hopes to expand. Turner also said he plans to cut red tape and work with state, local and private partners to lower housing costs.

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Eric Scott Turner, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, is sworn in during a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing, pending on Capitol Hill Confirmation held, Thursday, January 16, 2025 in Washington. (Associated Press)

“I think homeowners should be able to have home equity because that’s how most families start building wealth,” Turner said.

But Democrats at the hearing questioned whether Turner would make housing more affordable.

Asked at one point during the hearing about his support for work requirements for people receiving Section 8 housing assistance, Turner told committee members he thought it was a good idea. When Turner tried to explain his reasoning, he was interrupted by questioning from senators and unable to respond.

Turner did not have a specific answer as to whether funding for certain programs would be cut. But he did promise to “maximize” HUD’s existing funding and would work with committee members to address concerns about funding for certain programs.

When Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., asked Turner if she would support additional housing, Turner told her: “There are a lot of reasons why housing is so expensive right now, and I think first we need to get our finances in order. Get in Order.” Federal investments to lower the cost of building more affordable housing.

“I do look forward to focusing on the HOME program and other programs, but HUD is providing record funding. HUD’s budget is currently approaching $70 billion, and we’re still not meeting the needs we should be meeting. ”

Eric Scott Turner, President-elect Trump’s nominee for U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, speaks before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Development Committee, Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Washington, DC Urban Affairs Committee confirmation hearing. (Getty Images)

In addition to addressing Democrats’ concerns, Turner said he intends to conduct an agency-wide review of current programs to assess what programs are working and what isn’t and identify any regulatory barriers to supply. Affordable housing.

Much of the work will involve engaging with state and local officials because they are intimately familiar with housing needs and barriers in their communities, Turner said.

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Turner also said he plans to look for ways to reduce construction cost and working with private sector entities within the real estate market.

Eric Scott Turner, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, arrives at the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, January 16, 2025 Testify at the meeting (Getty Images)

In addition to questions about funding HUD projects, Democrats asked Turner whether he would work to eliminate alleged racial bias in the housing appraisal industry and whether he planned to go after real estate investors for “price gouging.”

Turner said he is committed to working with Democrats to investigate the issue and make a decision based on it. However, Turner did oppose what he said were diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) measures included in HUD.

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“Despite all the subsidies and trillions of dollars (the Biden administration) is spending, not a lot of good is happening,” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee said in his opening statement Thursday.

“But today, it’s a new day in America, and new leadership brings hope, opportunity and enthusiasm to the American people.”