HUD Secretary Scott Turner announced new policy changes aimed at restricting federal housing benefits to U.S. citizens, tightening oversight of taxpayer-funded programs, and addressing what he described as large-scale waste and payment errors within the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Turner said HUD has moved to block non-permanent residents from accessing FHA-insured mortgages, while also launching audits of public housing authorities to ensure federal housing dollars are not being used to support illegal aliens.

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“We eliminated non permanent residents eligibility for FHA insured mortgages, and we are auditing public housing authorities to ensure taxpayer dollars don't support illegal aliens,” Turner said.

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“American dollars should benefit American citizens and American citizens only by focusing on our core mission.”

Turner emphasized HUD’s stated goal of expanding homeownership and improving housing affordability for Americans, citing the department’s role in supporting mortgage access and rental assistance programs.

“HUD provided a pathway for home ownership and supported housing affordability for more than 1 million Americans through FHA and Ginni mate,” Turner said.

He also stressed increased enforcement of financial oversight within the department, pointing to internal findings that identified billions of dollars in questionable or improper payments.

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“We also take stewardship very seriously, so we're cracking down on waste and fraud and abuse,” Turner said.

“Our Office of the Chief Financial Officer uncovered more than $5 billion in potential payment errors, over 50 billion in total rental assistance for the fiscal year 2024 and that includes money that went to nearly 30,000 dead people.”

Turner criticized the scope of the financial discrepancies and described them as a breach of taxpayer trust.

“That is ludicrous. It's ridiculous to even think or talk in such a way,” Turner said.

“It's a violation of our sacred trust to American taxpayers, and it has to end, and it will.”

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HUD officials said the department’s audits and policy adjustments are intended to tighten eligibility enforcement, reduce fraud, and ensure that federal housing funds are directed toward lawful recipients.

Turner indicated the agency will continue reviewing housing programs tied to FHA and rental assistance to prevent improper payments and ensure compliance with federal rules.

The policy changes come as the Trump administration continues broader efforts to restrict federal benefits for illegal aliens, strengthen oversight of government spending, and prioritize U.S. citizens in federal assistance programs.

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