By a Senate vote of 55-44, former professional football player Scott Turner has been confirmed as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
In November, President Donald Trump nominated the ex-NFL’er and former America First Policy Institute (AFPI) Chair of the Center for Education Opportunity as Secretary of HUD via the social media platform Truth (@realDonaldTrump).
“As a country, we’re not building enough housing,” Turner stated before the Senate in his confirmation hearing. “We need millions more homes of all kinds, single family, apartments, condos, duplexes, manufactured housing, you name it, so individuals and families can have a roof over their heads and a place to call home.”
Turner replaces Adrianne Todman, who has served as the agency’s Deputy Secretary since her confirmation by the Senate in June 2021. She was named HUD’s Acting Secretary in March 2024.
“When I played in the NFL, we relied on game films to identify our mistakes and areas for improvement. I spent hours poring over the tapes to identify the smallest weaknesses in my game and determine what I could do to improve. The film told the story of my performance—cutting through the noise and focusing on results,” said Turner during his confirmation hearing. “If I am confirmed as Secretary, I want to bring this same approach to the work we do at HUD because each day we have an opportunity to improve and better serve the American people.”
Turner brings experience with high-level government housing affairs to the role as head of HUD, having served during President Trump’s first term as U.S. President as Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, a Council of federal agencies tapped with developing ways in which federal agencies can better partner with Opportunity Zone investors to provide social services and other support to enact community revitalization.
“MBA congratulates Scott Turner on his confirmation to serve as HUD Secretary,” said Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB. “We will continue to advocate for policies and solutions that improve housing supply and affordability and stand ready to work with leadership and staff at HUD, the Federal Housing Administration, and Ginnie Mae as they carry out their important roles in supporting single-family and multifamily housing markets while protecting taxpayers.”
A native of Richardson, Texas, Turner most recently served as Chair of the Center for Education Opportunity for the America First Policy Institute. Turner is a businessman, motivational speaker, and nine-year former professional football player who played in the NFL with the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers, and the Denver Broncos as a cornerback. Turner also served as a Texas state representative for the 33rd District, which includes part of Collin County, and all of Rockwall County. He attended the University of Illinois, where he played as their starting cornerback, and graduated with a degree in speech communications.
Scott Olson, Executive Director of the Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA), added, “The CHLA congratulates and fully supports HUD Secretary Scott Turner in his new role. We are encouraged by his commitment to addressing broken housing policies and expanding sustainable homeownership opportunities. His focus on helping Americans achieve self-sufficiency and the American dream aligns with our mission to ensure a strong, accessible, and responsible mortgage market. We look forward to working with Secretary Turner and HUD to promote policies that strengthen homeownership and expand housing opportunities for all.”
