Scott Turner, a former NFL player who oversaw the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term, has been appointed by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The first Black person chosen to serve in the Republican Cabinet is 52-year-old Turner.
You should be aware of the following regarding Turner:
From politics to professional football
Turner attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and grew up in Richardson, a suburb of Dallas. He played defensive back for the Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins during his nine seasons in the NFL starting in 1995.
FILE – Scott Turner, the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, speaks during a listening session with African-American leaders, May 21, 2020, in Ypsilanti, Mich. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Image: Alex Brandon/Associated Press
He interned with then-Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif, during the off-season. Turner was employed by the congressman full-time after retiring in 2004. Turner made an unsuccessful Republican run in the 50th Congressional District of California in 2006.
As one of many lawmakers backed by the tea party, Turner joined the Texas House in 2013. Prior to the conclusion of his second term in 2016, he made an unsuccessful attempt to become speaker. He didn’t run for office a third time.
Pastor and motivational speaker
In addition, Turner held the title of chief inspiration officer at a software firm, where he served as a counselor, pastor, and professional mentor to the leadership team and staff. In addition, he has given motivational speeches.
A nonprofit organization supporting efforts to enhance literacy in children was established by him and his spouse, Robin Turner. He is listed as an associate pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church. In addition, he chairs the America First Policy Institute’s Center for Education Opportunity, a think tank founded by former Trump administration employees to establish the foundation for a second term.
During Trump’s first term, he headed the council
In April 2019, Trump appointed Turner to lead the newly formed White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Turner helped spearhead an unprecedented effort that transformed our nation’s most troubled communities, according to Trump.
In order to draw investment to so-called Opportunity Zones—economically distressed regions that qualified for federal tax incentives—the council’s task was to collaborate with other federal departments.
HUD’s function
The nation’s housing needs are the responsibility of HUD. In addition, it is responsible for enforcing fair housing rules and managing housing for the poorest Americans, providing public housing, rental subsidies, and voucher programs to approximately 4.3 million low-income households.
With a tens of billions of dollars in funding, the organization manages a wide range of initiatives that range from encouraging homeownership to decreasing homelessness. Additionally, it provides vouchers that enable low-income families to pay for private market housing and funds the development of affordable housing.
Throughout the campaign, Trump primarily addressed housing costs rather than public housing. He bemoaned the exorbitant cost of housing and claimed that by lowering inflation and enforcing stricter laws against illegal immigration, he could lower it. Additionally, he promised to work toward loosening restrictions on home building and opening up certain federal land for residential development.
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