Across the Lutheran Services in America network, we are committed to addressing housing insecurity as an economic and health crisis, advocating for affordable housing not only as shelter but also to ensure that members of the community are healthy and connected to the supportive services—food, social connection, transportation and mental health care—that are necessary to thrive. Therefore, we are carefully tracking announcements on who will be moving into leadership roles in Congress and the new administration on these issues.
President-elect Donald Trump announced he will nominate former Texas state Rep. Scott Turner to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Turner was twice elected to the Texas House of Representatives, serving from 2013 to 2017. In 2019, during his first term, Trump appointed Turner to lead a council tasked with turning around distressed communities, including directing private investment money toward “Opportunity Zones.” Turner now chairs the Center for Education Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former staffers from Trump’s first presidency.
In Congress, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) has signaled his desire to chair the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which holds jurisdiction over key housing policy. Former ranking member Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) lost his bid for re-election, and as such, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is expected to take his place as top Democrat on the panel. Sen. Brown was the champion of S. 3910, the “Yes in God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) Act. The legislation seeks to break down regulatory and zoning barriers for churches and other faith-based institutions to use existing land and property to develop housing. Having endorsed the bill, we will be working to help identify a new lead senator to move this effort forward.
In the House of Representatives, the Financial Services Committee has jurisdiction on housing-related issues. The new ranking chair is Rep. French Hill (R-AR), while Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) will retain her role as the ranking members for Democrats.
Our staff is working across our network to strengthen and develop relationships with these key stakeholders to advance our key policy priorities:
- Grow our collective capacity to increase the availability of affordable housing within communities.
- Expand the integration and reach of effective models of supportive services in housing for older adults and people with disabilities.
- Advocate policies and funding to advance affordable housing, reimbursement for social determinants of health services and ultimately, improve health equity.
If you are interested in engaging in advocacy with the network on housing and services issues, please contact Sarah Dobson.
Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Lutheran Services in America.
