U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner asserted that the Trump administration is working to lower housing costs, which he claims were driven up by an influx of unauthorized immigrants during the Biden administration. Turner stated that the administration's policies, including a crackdown on illegal immigration, are designed to make homeownership more affordable for American citizens.
Speaking at the Great American State Fair, Turner argued that increased housing demand from unauthorized immigration has led to higher prices and rents for American households. He referenced a Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas working paper that estimated a 1% increase in unauthorized immigrant workers correlated with a 2.2% rise in home prices and a 1.4% increase in rents. "When we first came in with President Trump, we had open borders. We had tens of millions of illegals in our country," Turner said, implying a direct link between border policies and housing market pressures.
The administration's approach, according to Turner, involves reducing regulations, expanding mortgage credit, and removing barriers to new construction, in addition to curbing illegal immigration. "Here in America, we prioritize American people and American people only. American houses are for American people," Turner stated, emphasizing a focus on domestic citizens.
Turner pointed to two executive orders signed by President Trump aimed at reducing regulatory hurdles for affordable housing construction, increasing access to mortgage credit, and boosting housing supply. He also noted that the administration is rolling back regulations and what he described as "bureaucratic red tape" imposed under the previous administration, which he believes have increased construction costs. "That's what we're doing now, we are easing the regulatory environment, bringing the cost down, raising the supply so builders can build and homeowners can buy," Turner said, asserting these efforts are crucial for making homeownership attainable for American families.