Scott Turner has been chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A former NFL player, Turner previously chaired the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s initial term, marking a significant milestone as he is the first Black individual selected for a position in the Republican Cabinet.
Here is an overview of Turner’s background: from the football field to political arenas. Turner grew up in Richardson, a suburb of Dallas, and graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He played as a defensive back in the NFL for nine seasons starting in 1995, representing teams like the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers, and Denver Broncos.
While still pursuing his football career, he interned for then-Representative Duncan Hunter of California during the offseasons. After transitioning away from professional football in 2004, Turner dedicated himself to working full-time for Hunter. He made an attempt to enter politics by running unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate in California’s 50th Congressional District in 2006. In 2013, Turner became a member of the Texas House, aligning with tea party-backed lawmakers. However, he did not succeed in his bid to become speaker before concluding his second term in 2016 without seeking reelection.
In addition to his political career, Turner has held roles that emphasize inspiration and guidance, such as working as a “chief inspiration officer” for a software firm, where he provided mentoring and counseling for the company’s employees and executives. He has also gained recognition as a motivational speaker and an associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church, alongside his wife, Robin Turner. Together, they established a nonprofit organization aimed at enhancing childhood literacy. Furthermore, he serves as chair of the Center for Education Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank created by former staffers from the Trump administration.
During Trump’s first presidential term, Turner was introduced as the head of the newly formed White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in April 2019. Trump acknowledged Turner for his significant contributions to what he described as an “Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” The council’s objective involved working with federal agencies to channel investments into “Opportunity Zones,” defined as economically disadvantaged areas eligible for federal tax benefits.
The mission of HUD encompasses meeting the housing needs of the nation. It also oversees the enforcement of fair housing regulations and provides support for low-income Americans, serving over 4.3 million families through various programs including public housing and rental subsidies. With a substantial budget, HUD administers numerous initiatives aimed at reducing homelessness, promoting homeownership, and funding the development of affordable housing. It also issues vouchers that help low-income families secure private rental accommodations.
Throughout his campaign, Trump primarily addressed issues surrounding housing costs rather than focusing on public housing itself. He expressed concern about the escalating prices of housing and promised to make it more affordable by implementing measures aimed at curbing illegal immigration and addressing inflation. Additionally, he proposed lowering regulatory barriers to home construction and making some federal lands accessible for residential building.
