Op-Ed: Joe Mitchell: Donald Trump and Scott Turner will Make Housing Great Again

Leaders need to roll up their sleeves, cut through the bureaucracy, streamline programs, and “Build Baby Build.” That’s what Americans chose, and that’s what Scott Turner will help President Trump do.

From the night President Donald Trump made his acceptance speech following his landslide victory, the president and his team have proven why voters chose a new way forward in 2024.

The Trump-Vance transition team immediately rolled out the all-star cast of cabinet nominees. Between Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), Pete Hegseth, Gov. Doug Burgum (R., N.D.), Pam Bondi, and many more America First rock stars, it is clear that President Trump has put together the greatest lineup of cabinet nominees in American history.

One of those names that the president has not been given enough credit for is his pick for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Scott Turner. While the headlines for the Attorney General, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Commerce, and others seem to be dominating the media hits, President Trump’s pick for HUD is one who will have a positive impact for millions of Americans across the country.

Before President Trump became the world's most popular man, he was the world's most famous real estate developer. No one knows housing and development like Donald Trump. No one understands the bureaucracy, building codes, energy and environmental compliance like Donald Trump. President Trump has committed to Make Housing Great Again. That starts with his fantastic pick for HUD Secretary, Scott Turner.

As a developer myself, I appreciate Trump’s policies, his background in the private sector, and his keen acumen for picking good people. And make no mistake, Scott Turner is the man for the job.

Turner has a more than impressive resume, which includes serving in the Texas legislature, the White House, and extensive experience in the private sector — including construction and development of large scale affordable multi-family assets. The combination of skill sets between being a former lawmaker, working in the White House, and his direct experience in the private sector make Turner one of the most qualified HUD Secretaries ever.

Specifically, Turner’s work as Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council helped spur revitalization in distressed communities across America by promoting and overseeing the opportunity zone tax incentive. This committee was key to getting investments in the potential 8,764 designated opportunity zones (OZs) that were identified across the U.S. By 2020, under Scott’s leadership, almost half of the designated OZs had received direct capital because of the program. That was an increase from 26 percent in 2019.

Prior to serving the president, Turner served in the Texas legislature, amassing a solid conservative record fighting for lower taxes, limited government, and less regulation. Under his time and leadership in the legislature, both Collin County (a large portion of Scott’s legislative district) and Texas saw an explosive growth rate with development and people moving in from all around the country. Scott will take this same pro-growth, pro-development mindset to HUD.

Trump’s HUD nominee’s unique and broad experience couldn’t come at a better time for our country. Americans cannot afford homes. As America’s population grows, our housing stock rots. COVID changed the way we do business, the way we live, and the way cities are built. Without sound housing policies, the American Dream will go the way of Romney Republicans — extinct.

Luckily, Donald Trump knows the way forward.

The appointment of Scott Turner will reflect on the overall vision President Trump has for America: an America where everyone regardless of who they are can afford a home that is safe and sufficient. To address housing affordability, we need strong leadership. Our leaders need to roll up their sleeves, cut through the bureaucracy, streamline programs, and “Build Baby Build.” That’s exactly what Americans chose, and that’s exactly what Scott Turner will help the President deliver.

Joe Mitchell is President and Chairman of the Iowa Real Estate Developers Association (IRDA) a 501(c)(6) trade association dedicated to protecting and expanding the interest of real estate developer’s across the state of Iowa. This association works to advocate and lobby on behalf of developers including commercial, industrial, multi-family and residential development.

Outside of his work with the IRDA, Joe is a real estate developer specializing in workforce housing projects in rural America. He has a passion for building affordable homes for middle and working class Americans.

Previously, Joe served in the Iowa State Legislature for two terms from 2019-2023. In the legislature he served as Vice-Chair of the Ways and Means Committee while also serving on State Government, Commerce, Judiciary and the RIF Budget. He also served as an Assistant Majority Leader to Speaker Grassley.