Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Alex Padilla, alongside U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver and over 100 Democratic colleagues in Congress, have issued a letter to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, expressing their opposition to recent staffing reductions and potential office closures. The communication urges Secretary Turner to reinstate civil servants allegedly fired unlawly and criticizes reports suggesting the closure of a significant number of field offices across the nation.
The lawmakers emphasize the vital role field offices play in providing critical housing services. They argue that further cuts at such a scale could severely impact HUD's operations, including its responsibilities towards disaster recovery and housing development efforts. "We write to express concern about reports that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is considering closing nearly two-thirds of the Department’s field offices, leaving most states and the District of Columbia without critical sites or staff," the letter states.
The communication also highlights HUD's legal obligations, referencing the requirement for the department to maintain at least one field office in every state. By law, HUD is required to conduct a cost-benefit analysis before proceeding with any significant reorganization plans. However, the Trump Administration's plan would purportedly leave 34 states without field offices, raising concerns over compliance with these legal stipulations.
Besides Hirono and Padilla, influential lawmakers including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senators like Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker, and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Representatives like Adam Schiff, endorsed the letter. They call for an immediate reversal of any "short-sighted and illegal efforts" that would undermine HUD's mission.
HUD’s role in addressing the national housing crisis and enforcing fair housing laws is critical. Field offices are instrumental in collecting data for policymaking, managing program funds, ensuring compliance, and supporting local stakeholders. The letter requests further details on analyses performed by HUD regarding these reductions and any plans impacting agency operations.
Reports indicating planned closures have been met with unease, as HUD is legally bound to maintain operational field offices across all states. A recent Executive Order has called for a reduction in force, a directive which the lawmakers strongly oppose in their letter to Secretary Turner. They also request specific data and analyses from HUD to evaluate the impacts of potential office closures.
The letter demands responses to several inquiries by April 2, 2025, regarding HUD's plans to meet these legal and operational challenges. Lawmakers seek assurance that any reorganization will comply with legal standards and adequately maintain the operation of HUD field offices nationwide.