The Trump administration’s proposal to cut half of federal workers at the nation’s housing agency is targeting employees who support disaster recovery, rental subsidies, discrimination investigations and first-time homebuyers, according to two documents obtained by The Associated Press.
More than a dozen programs within the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s portfolio would be affected by the loss of some 4,000 positions detailed in the documents, raising concerns among former HUD officials and housing advocates who say a skeletal staff could slow or even stall the department’s critical work.
HUD spokesperson Kasey Lovett on Thursday said the leaked documents “should not be taken as final” as staffing is evaluated throughout the agency. The documents, which aren’t clearly dated but were circulated this week, include total staffing numbers, expected resignations, as well as a projected “Day 120 Headcount” and reduction percentage of staff at individual HUD offices.
Such dramatic staffing cuts are in line with the administration’s broader push to gut government spending, with HUD Secretary Scott Turner in recent days touting his new Department of Government Efficiency task force inspired by billionaire Elon Musk while also announcing $1.9 billion in “misplaced funds” as well as $260 million identified as “wasteful contracts.”
“HUD is following direction from the administration while also ensuring the department continues to deliver on its critical functions, mission to serve rural, tribal and urban communities and statutory responsibilities,” Lovett said in a statement.
Here’s a look at some of the significant staffing cuts under consideration and how it could impact HUD’s most wide-reaching work:
Disaster relief
The Office of Community Planning and Development — which the documents propose cutting by 84% of its staff — is the arm of HUD that helps repair homes and infrastructure after natural disasters, administering $1.65 billion sent to North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.
It also oversees homelessness initiatives and the Community Development Block Grant that funnels billions of federal dollars to local governments for community development programs, such as libraries or affordable housing.
Staff across HUD offices also answer questions, offer guidance and technical support, helping communities navigate federal rules and plan, develop and manage projects.
The proposed cuts outlined in the documents would reduce the office from 936 employees to just 150.
“That would lead to significant delays in funding getting out to communities nationwide,” said Ann Oliva, who worked as a HUD official for a decade and is now CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
“We’ve already heard from programs that have said, ‘We are going to go ahead and pause taking new folks for right now until we understand what’s happening to our funding,’” Oliva said.
Lovett said “disaster relief efforts will not be impacted” in an email, but did not elaborate.
