Scott Turner, a former Texas lawmaker and NFL player, is Donald Trump’s choice to be secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Scott Turner
JPI Scott Turner

During Trump’s first term, Turner led the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, which aimed to enhance the coordination of federal economic development resources in Opportunity Zones and other distressed communities.

Turner, 52, has been chief visionary officer at JPI, a leading Texas-based multifamily housing developer, since 2023. He also chairs the Center for Education Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank that features former Trump administration staffers.

His pick comes after speculation that former HUD secretary Ben Carson and Bill Pulte, CEO of Pulte Capital, were candidates to be the nation’s top housing official.

If confirmed, Turner would take over HUD at a time when housing affordability has emerged as a leading issue in communities across the country.

During its first term, the Trump administration sought to severely cut the HUD budget, but those proposals were largely blocked by Congress. There’s concern that the new administration will again try to slash the agency’s budget.

For many in the affordable housing industry, Turner is a new face. He served as a Texas state representative for the 33rd District, which includes part of Collin County and all of Rockwall County, from 2013 to 2017.

Turner was a cornerback in the NFL for nine seasons with the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers, and the Denver Broncos.

Multifamily Executive, AHF's sister publication, interviewed Turner last year.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) congratulated Turner on his selection as HUD secretary.

“Upon his confirmation to the cabinet post, we look forward to working with him on one of the most important issues facing Americans today,” said Carl Harris, NAHB chairman and a custom home builder from Wichita, Kansas. “The nation’s home builders stand ready to work together with HUD to roll back costly regulations and implement policies that will provide affordable homeownership and rental housing opportunities for all Americans.”

David Dworkin, president and CEO of the National Housing Conference, also issued a statement.

“Scott Turner has a well-established commitment to community development and was a vocal advocate for investing in underserved communities in the first Trump administration. We look forward to working with him in the years ahead,” Dworkin said. “He has been a vocal advocate for the Opportunity Zone program, and we anticipate working with him to extend and expand the program to incentivize the construction of housing affordable to first-time home buyers, especially first-generation home buyers.”