Senators Interview Nominees About Healthy Homes

by Darcy Scott and Anna Plankey

With a change in presidential administration comes a series of nominations and hearings for top-ranking posts at the federal agencies with whom NCHH engages often. We’re publishing this as a running blog, an evolving piece that we expect to update often over the next few weeks. Check back often to read what the nominees say with respect to various healthy homes issues.

Scott Turner (Secretary, HUD)

The National Center for Healthy Housing would like to commend the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for the thoughtful and productive hearing this morning (January 16) to interview Scott Turner, the nominee for Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mr. Turner provided substantive answers and expressed a real willingness to work with both sides of the aisle to address the housing crisis in the United States, both in new construction and the improvement of existing housing stock.

Senator Andy Kim talks to Mr. Scott Turner on January 16.

On behalf of the healthy homes community, NCHH thanks Andy Kim, the freshman senator (and former representative) from New Jersey, for his request that the agency commit to the removal of all lead in homes, whether in pipes or paint. Mr. Turner agreed that they would work together.

NCHH would also like to thank Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) for requesting technical assistance from the agency for her legislation S. 3871, the Whole Home Repairs Act, sponsored with Senator John Fetterman (D-PA). The needs of rural housing and holistic repair are paramount. Several senators also highlighted the strength and benefit of the HOME program, which NCHH works to sustain.

If confirmed, Mr. Turner has committed to traveling the country to see the variety of housing needs, from the condition of public housing in Cleveland, Ohio, to the shortage of affordable housing in many urban areas. NCHH supports this proposal and will do all it can to work with the agency and its new secretary to expand access to healthy homes for all Americans.

Watch the full session here.

Lee M. Zeldin (Administrator, EPA)

Also taking place January 16, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works conducted its hearing to interview Lee M. Zeldin, the nominee for Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the larger landscape of discussions of impacts of climate change, EPA’s role of enforcement and compliance, and ensuring clean air and clean water for all, several senators utilized their time to address healthy housing issues.

NCHH thanks Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) and freshman Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) for drawing attention to childhood lead poisoning and specifically the continued need for lead service line replacement. In response to these issues, Mr. Zeldin reiterated his commitment to follow administrative procedures and his obligations to the fullest extent under the laws enacted by Congress. If confirmed, the Mr. Zeldin also committed to visiting various sites across the country to collaborate with legislators on the environmental issues and concerns raised during this hearing.

Watch the full session here.

Darcy Scott, NCHH Senior Policy Advisor, has been engaged in federal advocacy efforts for over 15 years. She has worked with a number of large-scale organizations, such as the ACLU and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to influence legislators through public engagement. Ms. Scott ran the government affairs department at M+R Strategic Services, leveraging the power of organizations and coalitions to influence the legislative process, and her consulting clients include Habitat for Humanity International and United Way Worldwide. Ms. Scott holds an undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University and a graduate degree from Northwestern University.

Anna Plankey, Analyst, joined the National Center for Healthy Housing in 2019. Initially serving as a policy intern, she aided in the coordination of the National Safe and Healthy Housing Coalition’s Hill Day in February 2019 in conjunction with the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Healthy Housing Conference in Washington, DC. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History of Public Policy from University of California, Santa Barbara.