How Trump's HUD Chief Turner Plans to Fix Housing With Gutted Agency
Also today: Cities rethink one-way streets, and FanDuel sponsors train to Philadelphia Eagles game amid transit cuts.
Turner shortly after his confirmation, appearing with Trump at a White House reception honoring Black History Month.
Photographer: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Sipa USA/AP Photo
When Scott Turner became President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, he pledged to cut red tape, help the US ditch antiquated building codes and form partnerships with private companies to kick-start a building boom. When we sat down with him in July, Turner said he was taking HUD “from mediocre to excellent” — starting with the agency's move from its aging headquarters to a newer building currently occupied by the National Science Foundation.
But in the months since Turner was sworn in, the agency has lost nearly 30% of its staff, and Turner has backed Trump’s proposal to slash its budget by nearly half. (Congress’s counter-proposals are more generous.) Turner has also signaled he wants to make major changes to the way it distributes rental aid.