The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is seeking a new, smaller headquarters as part of an initiative led by the Trump administration to reduce the number of federal employees and their office spaces. The current HUD headquarters, built in 1968 in Washington, D.C., requires over $500 million in deferred maintenance and modernization. Officials stated that the current staff uses only half of the available space, and relocating could help decrease taxpayer costs.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner has been vocal about his criticism of the existing Brutalist building, describing it as “the ugliest building in D.C.” Turner expressed the department’s commitment to creating a workplace that embodies efficiency, accountability, and purpose, aiming to streamline government operations to better serve the public.
The department has not disclosed the asking price for the building. However, the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, which serves as HUD’s current headquarters, is available for sale. Selling the building could be complicated by its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. HUD has not finalized the timeline and new location but emphasized that the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is a priority.
A cost-cutting team known as DOGE, overseen by Elon Musk, plans to significantly reduce HUD’s staff, potentially cutting it by half, as outlined in an internal document. Meanwhile, recent changes in federal office space management policies allow more flexibility in locating outside city centers. President Trump recently revoked earlier orders from Presidents Carter and Clinton that encouraged agencies to situate in business districts and historic properties, citing that these measures have hindered agencies from moving to more cost-effective facilities.
