HUD Secretary Scott Turner’s explosive 2025 audit reveals the Biden administration allowed $5.8 billion in fraudulent rental assistance payments, including aid to nearly 30,000 dead people and thousands of non-citizens.
Story Snapshot
- $5.8 billion in questionable rental assistance payments discovered in fiscal year 2024 audit
- 29,715 deceased tenants received aid across all 50 states under Biden administration oversight
- 9,472 non-citizens and 165,000+ households exceeding income limits improperly received taxpayer funds
- New York, California, and Washington DC showed highest concentrations of suspected fraud
Massive Fraud Uncovered Across All States
HUD Secretary Scott Turner announced findings from a comprehensive 2025 audit that exposed systematic failures in the Biden administration’s rental assistance program. The audit identified $5.8 billion in questionable payments during fiscal year 2024, representing a staggering misuse of taxpayer resources. Turner characterized these payments as evidence of “massive abuse of taxpayer dollars” stemming from inadequate financial controls implemented by the previous administration.
Dead Recipients and Ineligible Beneficiaries Exposed
The audit revealed that 29,715 deceased tenants received rental assistance payments across all 50 states, highlighting fundamental breakdowns in verification processes. Additionally, 9,472 non-citizens received aid despite eligibility restrictions, while over 165,000 households that exceeded income thresholds improperly obtained assistance. These findings demonstrate systematic failures to verify basic eligibility requirements that should have protected taxpayer funds from fraudulent claims.
Liberal States Lead Fraud Concentrations
Predictably, the highest concentrations of suspected fraud occurred in Democrat-controlled jurisdictions including New York, California, and Washington, DC. These locations have historically implemented lax oversight measures while prioritizing political narratives over fiscal responsibility. The geographic concentration of fraudulent activity in these liberal strongholds reflects broader patterns of governmental mismanagement that conservative taxpayers have long criticized.
Trump Administration Takes Corrective Action
Turner announced comprehensive enforcement measures to address the widespread fraud, including further investigations, direct contact with housing authorities, and potential funding suspensions. The administration plans to revoke improper aid, pursue criminal prosecution where warranted, and implement recovery procedures to reclaim taxpayer funds. These decisive actions represent a sharp departure from the Biden administration’s weak oversight approach, prioritizing accountability and ensuring legitimate recipients receive proper assistance while protecting constitutional principles of fiscal responsibility.
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$5.8 billion in questionable rental assistance payments discovered in fiscal year 2024 audit
