President-elect Donald Trump tapped Scott Turner, a former NFL player, to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). That nomination comes even after Turner had previously refused to protect poor tenants and aid homeless people.
Turner served as a lawmaker in the Texas House of Representatives, where he opposed a bill that would expand affordable rental housing options. He also voted against funding public-private partnerships that would have supported homeless people, as well as bills that would have allowed a study on homelessness among young people and veterans, ProPublica reported.
Instead, Turner voted in favor of a bill that would allow landlords to refuse applicants based on their source of income, specifically when that income includes federal housing assistance. It also prevents cities and counties from passing regulations that would prohibit rental property owners or their agents from making their own decisions about potential tenants.
How Did the Passing of the Bill Affect Local Ordinances
The bill effectively nullified existing local ordinances that protected poor renters. In Austin, for instance, there was a law that protected tenants with housing vouchers from discrimination. The change now allowed landlords to refuse tenants using housing vouchers or other federal assistance programs for rent payments.
Experts and housing advocates argued that the bill could make it more difficult for low-income individuals and families to find housing, especially in areas with better schools and job opportunities.
What Did Turner Say About Welfare Programs?
In addition to voting against bills that would help poor tenants, Turner has previously called government welfare programs "one of the most destructive things for the family." Turner also agreed when an interviewer claimed government assistance programs kept its recipients in "bondage" and called the initiatives worse than slavery.
It is important to note that Turner would oversee a budget of about $70 billion and 800,000 public housing units across the country if he is confirmed as the head of the HUD. The department also provides support to about 650,000 homeless individuals in the United States.
Experts said Turner's appointment could lead to an increase in homelessness in the country.
