Senators urge halt on major HUD workforce cuts

U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Patty Murray, Kirsten Gillibrand, Tina Smith, and Chuck Schumer have issued a strong appeal to U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner to halt significant staff reductions at the agency. The senators expressed deep concern over reports of planned workforce cuts amounting to nearly 50 percent of HUD's staff.

The lawmakers emphasized that such reductions could severely impact HUD’s ability to provide essential services and manage programs for vulnerable groups like seniors and homeless veterans. "Initial reports suggest no program office would be spared," they stated, highlighting potential staffing cuts ranging from 10 percent to 84 percent across various departments.

In their letter, the senators noted that rebuilding HUD's staffing levels had been a gradual process following a substantial decrease between 2012 and 2019. They argued that further cuts might hinder disaster recovery efforts and compliance with legal obligations, causing delays in housing development projects.

"President Trump’s reckless threats of blanket tariffs on friendly nations could drive up housing costs," the senators warned. They cautioned that such measures might deter new development and slow down rebuilding efforts in communities affected by disasters.

The senators also requested clarification from Secretary Turner regarding HUD's current capacity, the rationale behind recent terminations, and any plans for maintaining critical services amid these layoffs.