HousingWireHousingWire
The Trump administration this week has started to fill out some of the vacant leadership posts at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), beginning with the nomination of Andrew Hughes to serve as deputy HUD secretary, according to announcements from HUD Secretary Scott Turner and members of Congress.
Hughes, who worked at the department under the leadership of Ben Carson during President Donald Trump’s first term, previously worked for Carson’s 2016 presidential bid and the University of Texas system before joining the department in 2017. Hughes currently serves as the department’s chief of staff, according to the HUD website.
Hughes can be seen on a video last week speaking with Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) when the California congresswoman attempted to hand-deliver a letter to Secretary Turner.
“I am very excited about the nomination of Andrew Hughes to serve as Deputy Secretary for HUD,” Turner said in a statement posted to social media platform X. “He is a true American patriot, a servant leader, and we are blessed to call him a friend and brother! Thank you [President Trump] for your trust and confidence in Andrew!”
Carson also released a statement of support on the same platform.
“Andrew Hughes has served right by my side for the better half of the last decade,” the former HUD secretary said. “During this time, he has proven himself dependable, hardworking, and dedicated to serving the American people in every instance. His housing experience and leadership skills make him a natural fit for this role. President Trump made a fantastic choice by nominating Andrew as HUD’s next Deputy Secretary, and he has my full support.”
Shortly afterward, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released a statement responding to Hughes’ nomination.
“On behalf of MBA, I congratulate Andrew Hughes on being nominated to serve as the next Deputy Secretary at HUD,” said MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit. “His prior experience as HUD chief of staff for Secretary Ben Carson gives him a unique perspective on ways to improve HUD’s operations, including its programs to support affordable homeownership and rental housing opportunities.”
The association “stands ready to work with him, Secretary Scott Turner, and the broader HUD staff” on ways to improve department policies that increase housing supply and improve affordability, Broeksmit said.
“We also look forward to engaging with HUD’s leadership to address challenges and opportunities within the agency, including improving technology and efficiency and ensuring FHA remains a viable financing option for single-family and multifamily markets.”
Tim Scott, the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, also released a statement supporting Hughes.
“Under the leadership of Secretary Ben Carson, and now under Secretary Scott Turner, Andrew Hughes has been a critical advisor in implementing President Trump’s housing agenda and helping more Americans achieve the American dream of homeownership,” Scott said.
“As deputy secretary of HUD, I’m confident Andrew will continue his efforts to reform failed federal housing policies, increase accountability, and make housing more affordable for all Americans.”
