Former Texas state Rep. Scott Turner has been appointed by the incoming Trump administration to serve as secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Turner is a former two-term member of the Texas House of Representatives, serving from 2013 to 2017.
He also spent nine seasons in the NFL, playing as a cornerback for Washington, San Diego and Denver.
He has also worked with President Trump in the past: During his first term, Trump appointed Turner to head the Opportunity and Revitalization Council – a group charged with rejuvenating distressed communities. This resulted in billions in private investment being funneled into Opportunity Zones – neighborhoods in need of physical improvements and new opportunities for residents and businesses.
In a statement, Bob Broeksmit, president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association, says “Pursuing policies and initiatives that help solve our nation’s housing affordability crisis for owners and renters should be a top policy priority under the Trump administration. Scott’s leadership as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in the first Trump administration, where, alongside Secretary Ben Carson, he was instrumental in implementing Opportunity Zones, will serve him well.”
“MBA is committed to working with the incoming HUD leadership and staff on policies and programs that boost housing supply, improve affordability, and address challenges and opportunities at the Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae,” Broeksmit adds.
In a separate statement, Seth Appleton, president of U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI), says Turner is “a distinguished leader whose housing, community development, non-profit, and public service experience prepare him well for this important role.”
“Known for his passion for economic empowerment, Scott has consistently demonstrated a deep dedication to uplifting underserved communities,” Appleton says. “As a former colleague, I am confident that with his leadership and results-driven approach, Scott is poised to make a profound impact at HUD and I commend the President-elect for nominating him. USMI and the private mortgage insurance industry look forward to working with Scott Turner as HUD Secretary to foster a coordinated and robust housing finance system that prudently enables sustainable homeownership for American families.”