HUD secretary says agency is 'taking inventory' of programs and signed MOU to use federal land for workforce housing

At a news conference in Erie, Secretary Turner said HUD is "taking inventory" of federal programs to identify which help build more affordable and workforce housing and urged local leaders to reduce regulatory barriers that he said slow private and public development.

Turner said HUD is reviewing its programs to see whether they help produce safe, sustainable housing and is encouraging local and state governments to remove burdensome regulations. "We're taking inventory at HUD," Turner said, adding that the federal government is a convener and partner but that much of the building work will be local and private. He cited public–private partnerships as a key tool.

Turner also said he and "Secretary Burgum" signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a joint task force to explore using underutilized federal lands to build more affordable housing. "We signed the MOU, a joint task force to use underutilized federal lands to build more affordable housing," Turner said.

Why it matters: Turner framed HUD’s role as combining federal coordination with local regulatory reform and private investment to increase housing supply targeted at middle- and median-income families. The MOU signals an administrative effort to identify federal land that could be repurposed for housing, but the conference did not include details about parcels, timelines, funding sources, or statutory authorities needed to transfer or develop federal land.

What remains unspecified: The MOU was announced by Turner at the podium, but the transcript does not specify which federal parcels (if any) are targeted, what funding would be used, whether property transfers or leases would be required, or what legal approvals might be necessary. Turner urged easing local regulations and said HUD is reviewing program design, but did not announce new funding or regulatory changes.

Quote: "We're taking inventory at HUD, as all of you know, and you've heard me say many times. We're looking at the programs at HUD. Do they help us to build and create more affordable, sustainable, safe housing or do they not?" Turner said.

The news conference ended without formal commitments or legislative actions; Turner said further work would proceed with state and local partners.