Tuesday, January 13, 2026ICYMI | HUD Secretary Turner Joins HHS and Governor Youngkin in Making Virginia Homes Healthy Again

PETERSBURG, VA - Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner traveled to Petersburg, Virginia for Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin's Partnership for Petersburg event, highlighting President Trump's Make America Healthy Again Commission. HUD Secretary Turner joined leadership from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to commit federal resources to Petersburg, Virginia. HUD Secretary Turner also announced availability of $4.4 million in national HUD Healthy Homes competitive funding and local HUD Technical Assistance to Make Petersburg Healthy Again.

Watch the press conference HERE

"I commend Governor Youngkin for the revitalization taking place in communities across Virginia as a result of his years of strong leadership. HUD's work with the Commonwealth of Virginia in Petersburg through Opportunity Zones and our Healthy Homes program reflects our broader vision to make all homes in America healthy, securing a safer future for the next generation," said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. "I appreciate HHS for their effort to Make Petersburg Healthy Again, which compliments HUD's $4.4 million investment in healthier homes nationwide. HUD remains committed to the continual prosperity of Virginians and all Americans - one healthier community at a time."

"Petersburg reflects challenges facing communities nationwide," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "Life expectancy is low, chronic disease is high, and too many families lack basic care. The Make Petersburg Healthy Again project delivers measurable improvements where they are needed most. HHS is proud to partner with HUD and Mayor Parham, whose leadership makes this work possible."

Following the event, Governor Youngkin said, "What you are seeing today is the expansion of the Partnership for Petersburg that began four years ago and is now fully bringing in the federal government. From the leadership of Secretary Kennedy and his team at HHS, to Secretary Turner and HUD. This announcement reflects a clear and meaningful commitment to the future of Petersburg. We started this work alongside local leaders, the private sector, and the community, and together we've made real progress. Today builds on that success and positions us for even greater impact. With federal, state, local, and private partners aligned, the Partnership for Petersburg is stronger than ever and ready to deliver lasting improvements in health, opportunity, and quality of life for this community. Thank you to President Trump and the entire administration for your commitment to making Petersburg, and our entire nation, healthy again."

The City of Petersburg has been continually ranked as the least healthy place to live in Virginia with approximately one in five homes estimated to have significant lead-based paint hazards. The Make Petersburg Healthy Again initiative is a grassroots-to-government approach that channels federal resources to local leadership to address chronic disease, access to health care, and environmental health challenges at the neighborhood level, including in Petersburg's three Opportunity Zones created through President Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and made permanent by his Working Families Tax Cuts legislation of 2025.

In the News:

Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin Celebrate Partnership for Petersburg's Success and Make New Sustainability Announcements

"At HUD, we are focused on expanding affordable housing for hardworking Americans that is safe and free from hazards,' said U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner. 'Helping communities remove lead-based paint hazards will support Americans in developing or restoring their capacity to improve homes and protect families, especially for young children who are particularly susceptible."

HHS and HUD Commit to "Make Petersburg Healthy Again" by Expanding Access to Medical Care, Nutritious Foods, and Healthy Homes in the Historically Underserved City

"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced a commitment of agency resources to Make Petersburg Healthy Again, an initiative aimed at improving health outcomes in one of the most medically underserved cities in the United States. HHS is partnering with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the city of Petersburg, where Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brian Christine, M.D., and HUD Secretary Scott Turner joined Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, First Lady of Virginia Suzanne Youngkin, and Petersburg Mayor Samuel Parham to announce their plans before community leaders."

Youngkin's final Petersburg visit brings $4M federal health program, mental health center

"Perhaps the most significant announcement involved a federal health initiative targeting chronic disease in Petersburg. The city will serve as a prototype for a "Make America Healthy Again" program focused on asthma reduction."

"Secretary Scott Turner from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development praised Petersburg's progress and committed to advocating for the city. 'I wish more people could see what's going on here in Petersburg and I will be an Ambassador for you," Turner said."'

HUD Secretary, HHS Assistant Secretary, Gov. Youngkin Host Partnership for Petersburg Event

"Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, with the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner, Assistant Secretary for Health and Head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and Admiral Brian Christine, MD, hosts an event to highlight key accomplishments of the Partnership for Petersburg."

'More to come': Petersburg partnership continues with federal support as Youngkin's term ends

"Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Friday that federal partners will continue supporting Petersburg development projects as his Partnership for Petersburg initiative transitions beyond his administration."

"The Department of Housing and Urban Development will help the city receive grant money to address lead hazards in homes."

HUD Secretary, HHS Assistant Secretary, Gov. Youngkin Host Partnership for Petersburg Event

"Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, with the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner, Assistant Secretary for Health and Head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and Admiral Brian Christine, MD, hosts an event at 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 9 to highlight key accomplishments of the Partnership for Petersburg."

HUD Announces $4.4 Million In Lead Hazard Reduction Grants - NMP

"HUD is offering capacity-building grants to help communities identify and reduce lead hazards in homes, strengthening public health, housing safety, and long-term market stability."

"The announcement was made by HUD Secretary Scott Turner, underscoring the agency's ongoing commitment to housing that is both affordable and safe for families, particularly those with young children at risk of harmful lead exposure."

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