Womack Remarks at Budget Hearing on Department of Housing and Urban Development

Today we welcome the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Honorable Scott Turner. Mr. Secretary, thank you for appearing before this subcommittee to discuss HUD's Fiscal Year 2027 budget request. This is your second appearance before us, and I look forward to hearing about the progress you have made in the past year reforming HUD's programs and putting the Department on a sounder footing.

We share a common goal: constraining costs, promoting housing affordability, and serving our most vulnerable citizens. HUD's FY27 request is $62 billion in new budget authority, a reduction of about $15 billion below the FY26 enacted level. 

A significant portion of the proposed savings come from eliminating programs like CDBG, HOME, and self-sufficiency initiatives — programs that have strong bipartisan support among our Members. Our markup may reflect some differences with the budget request as we weigh Member input.

The bulk of the HUD budget is in rental assistance programs serving more than five million households. Many of these are elderly, disabled, and working families who depend on contract renewals and vouchers to keep a roof over their heads. You've described your approach as "common sense compassion," and I think that's exactly the right spirit. My commitment is to make sure this subcommittee gives you the tools and the funding to make that principle real for the families who are counting on it.

Some of the savings in the budget request depend on authorizing proposals that will require action from the Financial Services Committee. I trust that your team will engage with that committee on those reforms. Our shared goal is to make HUD's programs as effective as possible — creating opportunity for citizens to prosper while ensuring a responsible safety net for those who need it. Mr. Secretary, the work you are doing matters. This subcommittee is a partner in getting it right. I now recognize our Ranking Member, the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Clyburn, for his opening statement.