Matt Jones, the Trump Administration's nominee for Federal Housing Administration commissioner, brings to the table a combination of government, industry and trade group experience, several commenters said.
Jones, currently an executive at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, has been nominated by the White House as assistant secretary of the agency as well as FHA commissioner.
The appointment was included in a list of nominations sent to the Senate issued by the Trump administration on Sept. 14.
Jones is uniquely qualified for the role because of his background, said David Dworkin, president and CEO of the National Housing Conference.
What is Matt Jones' background?
Prior to joining HUD in his most recent role as deputy assistant secretary for single-family housing in March 2025, Jones was the
He was also senior advisor, capital markets at Amerifirst Home Mortgage. Before his Amerifirst tenure, he served as senior counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance as well as the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.
The FHA commissioner post
Industry reaction to Jones' appointment
The MBA also "enthusiastically supports" Jones' appointment.
"Matt brings an impressive combination of hands-on mortgage industry experience, deep knowledge of government housing finance and a strong understanding of how FHA programs can better serve homebuyers, renters and lenders," MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit said in a statement. "His previous leadership of MBA's government housing finance portfolio and current role overseeing FHA's single-family operations provide him with valuable perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the agency."
The group representing small- and mid-sized independent mortgage bankers, the Community Home Lenders of America, said in its statement it urges the Senate to promptly confirm Jones.
"Matt is that rare public servant that combines a strong operational industry background with executive office and congressional experience," CHLA said.
Jones' deep knowledge of the mortgage industry, combined with his experience on Capitol Hill "is an essential part of getting things done," NHC's Dworkin said, calling this one of the strongest appointments he's seen.
"He's made clear over the years I've known him that he has a real commitment to affordable housing, and even more important, to ensure the gains in homeownership are sustainable," Dworkin added.
He took the time to praise the acting head, Joe Gormley, who Dworkin said was fantastic in the role, but can now go back to being president of Ginnie Mae full time.
Industry groups, while supportive of the changes made by HUD Secretary Scott Turner, are still
"I'm confident that Matt's going to find the right balance between maintaining the strength of the fund and ensuring that the MIP isn't unnecessarily high," Dworkin said.
The National Association of Mortgage Brokers also congratulated Jones on his new role.
"FHA financing is a lifeline for first-time homebuyers, borrowers with lower credit scores and working families across the country, and mortgage brokers originate a substantial share of FHA-backed loans," NAMB President Kimber White said in a statement.
"NAMB looks forward to working with him and the rest of HUD's leadership team on the priorities that matter most to our members and the consumers we serve, including FHA underwriting and appraisal modernization, condo project approval reform and reducing regulatory burdens that raise costs for borrowers without improving safety or soundness."
US Mortgage Insurers, whose members provide a conforming market alternative to FHA, also strongly backs the Jones appointment.
"His experience in the U.S. Senate, in the mortgage industry and in senior roles at HUD prepares him well for this important position, and we urge the Senate to act quickly on his confirmation," a statement from USMI President Seth Appleton said.
