Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the Senate Committee On Banking, Housing, And Urban Affairs, sent a 13-page letter filled with questions to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary-Designate Scott Turner in advance of his confirmation hearing scheduled for Jan. 16.

“While you have described former HUD Secretary Ben Carson as a ‘mentor’ after Carson authored Project 2025’s housing agenda, there is little in the public record that reveals how you would further HUD’s mission to ‘create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all,’” Warren wrote.

Among the areas she addressed in the letter, Warren had several questions about how Turner would address the country’s nationwide housing shortage.

“While serving as Chief Visionary Officer of JPI, a multifamily housing developer, you stated that, ‘[w]ith the ever-growing need for high-quality, affordable housing in our nation, JPI remains dedicated to meeting this crucial need.’ Do you continue to believe there is a ‘growing need for high-quality, affordable housing in our nation?’” Warren asked. “Are you committed to using the tools of the federal government to increase the supply of affordable housing as HUD secretary.”

She also cited Turner’s strong support of Opportunity Zones.

“In too many cases, Opportunity Zones have been used to subsidize luxury real estate development for wealthy investors and in neighborhoods that already have significant resources and investment, rather than to build affordable housing or boost development in disinvested communities. What guardrails should the federal government implement to ensure that Opportunity Zones are increasing the supply of affordable housing in the United States?” she asked.

Warren also questioned Turner on Project 2025 calling for increasing Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance premiums (MIP).

“Raising the MIP would increase housing costs for the hundreds of thousands of people who become homeowners and build wealth through FHA financing — disproportionately borrowers of color. Do you support raising the cost of homeownership on FHA borrowers by increasing the MIP, including on loans with terms longer than 20 years?” she asked.

“Project 2025 also calls for restricting FHA support to first-time homebuyers, despite FHA’s role in helping lower-wealth borrowers access credit, including borrowers who are not first-time homebuyers but may need assistance re-entering the housing market due to unexpected hardships or changing circumstances (e.g., job loss, medical expenses). Do you support restricting FHA financing to first-time homebuyers?”

Warren also asked about fair housing enforcement actions.

“As HUD secretary, what are your enforcement priorities? Would you plan to continue to bring enforcement actions against entities that violate fair housing and civil rights laws? Would you weaken the standards currently used by HUD to bring such enforcement actions?” she asked.

Turner’s confirmation hearing before The Committee On Banking, Housing, And Urban Affairs is scheduled for 10 a.m. EST on Jan. 16.