The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says its current staff use only half the available office space and that relocating will “reduce the burden on the American taxpayer.”
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is seeking a smaller, more cost-effective building for its headquarters as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the number of federal employees and office spaces.
The agency revealed that its current building in Washington, D.C., built in 1968, requires over $500 million in deferred maintenance and modernization. With only half of the office space currently utilized by staff, the agency believes that relocating will result in cost savings for taxpayers.
Have information you want to share about ongoing changes at HUD? NPR’s Jennifer Ludden can be contacted through encrypted communications on Signal at jenniferludden.20.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner has criticized the current Brutalist-style headquarters, calling it “the ugliest building in D.C.” Turner emphasized the agency’s commitment to creating a workplace that promotes efficiency and accountability.
The agency has not disclosed the asking price for the building, which is now up for sale. However, its listing on the National Register of Historic Places could complicate the sale process. The agency has not finalized a timeline or new location, but it has stated that the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area remains a top priority.
President Trump’s recent executive order granting federal agencies more flexibility in choosing office locations outside city centers could impact HUD’s relocation plans. The order aims to reduce costs and ensure agencies are located where the population is concentrated.
