Nebraska Panhandle News

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) engaged in a discussion with Scott Turner, the nominee for U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, during a Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs hearing. The conversation centered on housing issues and strategies to combat homelessness.

Senator Ricketts emphasized the diverse housing needs across states, noting that Nebraska's challenges include both available and affordable housing. He highlighted successful initiatives from his tenure as Governor of Nebraska, such as the Rural Workforce Housing Fund and expanded low-income housing tax credits.

"Affordable housing is just a critical national issue right now," Ricketts stated. "And each state’s particular housing needs are going to be different, right? It’s going to be different in Nebraska and New York."

Turner responded by acknowledging the importance of understanding local successes and adapting federal support accordingly. "Thank you, Senator Ricketts," Turner said. "It was great visiting with you...getting the government out of the way...to do those things that have brought them great success as it pertains to affordable housing."

The hearing also addressed homelessness, referencing a 2024 HUD report indicating 771,480 people experiencing homelessness in America—an 18% increase from 2023. Turner expressed familiarity with the report and stressed collaboration with successful local organizations.

"I’m very familiar with that report," Turner remarked. "To take inventory of the homelessness in our country...and partner with them."

The dialogue underscored bipartisan efforts to address these pressing issues through effective partnerships between federal programs and state initiatives.