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INTERMEDIATE: Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner said the Trump administration is working to combat rising housing costs that he said were caused by Joe Biden’s open border policies.
Speaking exclusively to Fox News Digital from the Great American State Fair on Thursday, Turner emphasized that President Donald Trump’s team is pursuing policies to improve affordability, a key midterm issue, and reduce home prices and rental costs associated with illegal immigration under the previous administration.
Republicans have argued that their agenda will lower home prices and rents by reducing regulations, increasing housing supply and reducing illegal immigration.
BIDEN’S ILLEGAL INVESTMENT HAS RAISED RENT AND HOME PRICES, FED SURVEY FINDS
Homes for sale are on display as housing availability remains a challenge for many prospective buyers. (Zach Bennett/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
“When we first entered with President Trump, we had open borders. We had tens of millions of illegals in our country,” said Turner, arguing that the increase in housing demand from unauthorized immigration led to the cost of American citizens.
A recent working paper by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas reached a similar conclusion, estimating that each 1% increase in unauthorized immigrant workers was associated with a roughly 2.2% increase in housing prices and a 1.4% increase in taxes.
Turner said that in addition to rolling back regulations, increasing mortgage debt and removing barriers to new construction, reducing illegal immigration is critical to helping ease housing demand.
THE HIDDEN COSTS ARE AMAZING.
He also said the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is an important part of the president’s efforts to reduce costs for American families amid the unaffordability crisis.
“Here in America, we put Americans and only Americans first. American homes are for Americans,” Turner said.
Asked when Americans can expect to see lower housing costs, Turner said the administration is already taking steps to make housing more affordable.
“I think there’s a misconception that this isn’t important. It’s very important,” Turner said.
THE HIDDEN PROBLEM IS KEEPING AMERICANS FROM BUYING HOMES.
As evidence, Turner pointed to two executive orders that Trump signed that will work together to remove barriers to affordable housing, increase access to mortgages and increase the supply of housing.
Housing costs remain high in many parts of the country, making housing affordability a major concern for buyers and renters. (Photos by Angus Mordant/Bloomberg/Getty)
The HUD Secretary said the administration is also rolling back regulations and “red tape” put in place under the Biden administration to lower construction costs and encourage more housing.
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“That’s what we’re doing now, we’re reducing the regulatory environment, reducing costs, increasing resources so builders can build and homeowners can buy,” he said, describing those efforts as key to making home ownership more affordable for American families.
