Turner’s confirmation hearing last week included a sharp critique of the department he’s set to helm, which has recently acknowledged an 18.1% increase in homelessness across the US and 770,000 people classed as homeless last year.
The department, Turner said, “is failing at its most basic mission. And that has to come to an end.” He pledged to make renting units to voucher-holders easier for landlords, and also said he would uphold fair housing laws and campaign to keep the HUD budget steady even if Trump threatens cuts.
“I do commit to having those conversations with the president and with Congress as it pertains to being an ambassador and a voice for HUD,” Turner said, “and to maximize the budget that we are given.”
How will the housing and mortgage markets fare under Trump 2.0?
Trump’s November election victory followed a months-long battle with Joe Biden and then Kamala Harris marked by acrimony and division. But while certain of the incoming president’s policy proposals have stirred fears of inflationary pressure – and mortgage rates have crept steadily higher since his win – Ishbia sounded a positive tone for the housing and mortgage markets’ prospects in the years ahead.
“I think overall, the Trump administration is good for housing, and very good for consumers. I think it’s going to be a good thing across the board,” he said. “Obviously there are a lot of unknowns at this point, but President Trump’s obviously a business-focused person who also understands the private sector and at the same time, I think he cares about getting consumers access to liquidity and access to housing.
