Staff Reports
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under Secretary Scott Turner is ushering in a new era of common-sense, America-first housing policy. After years of watching the previous administration prioritize non-citizens and impose heavy-handed federal mandates, American homeowners and taxpayers are finally seeing their interests put front and center. Turner’s leadership represents a decisive break from the failed progressive experiments of the past, focusing instead on restoring opportunity, accountability, and local control in the housing market.
One of the most significant changes is Turner’s move to eliminate the “non-permanent resident” category from FHA-backed mortgages, effectively shutting the door on illegal aliens and those without permanent status from accessing taxpayer-backed home loans. This is a welcome reversal of Biden-era policies that, in practice, allowed illegal immigrants to compete with American citizens for scarce housing resources. Turner made it clear: federal housing benefits are for Americans, not for those who broke the law to get here. This policy not only protects the integrity of the system but also helps ensure that hardworking citizens are not left behind in their pursuit of the American Dream.
Turner is also putting an end to the federal government’s meddling in local zoning decisions. By terminating the burdensome Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule, HUD is restoring power to local communities to decide what’s best for their neighborhoods. The Biden and Obama administrations tried to dictate local zoning from Washington, D.C., but Turner recognizes that one-size-fits-all mandates only drive up costs and reduce housing supply. Local leaders know their communities better than distant bureaucrats, and this return to local control is a breath of fresh air for those who value property rights and neighborhood integrity.
Accountability and stewardship of taxpayer dollars are finally taking center stage at HUD. Turner’s creation of the DOGE Task Force has already uncovered and recovered billions in mismanaged funds, sending a clear message that the days of waste and abuse are over. This is exactly the kind of fiscal responsibility voters demanded—government that serves the people, not special interests or bloated bureaucracies.
Perhaps most importantly, Secretary Turner is refocusing HUD’s mission on helping Americans achieve self-sufficiency, not permanent dependency. He’s made it clear that housing subsidies are meant to be a trampoline, not a hammock. The goal is to help families move from government assistance to stable employment and ultimately to homeownership. This approach empowers individuals, restores dignity, and strengthens communities—precisely what our nation needs.
With innovative public-private partnerships, like those seen in Charleston, South Carolina, and a renewed emphasis on Opportunity Zones, Turner is proving that real solutions come from unleashing the power of the free market and local initiative. For the first time in years, there’s genuine optimism that HUD is working for American citizens, defending their interests, and restoring the promise of homeownership for generations to come.
