HUD becomes first major agency to relocate, exits Washington for Virginia displacing NSF

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be leaving Washington, D.C., and relocating to the National Science Foundation’s headquarters in nearby Alexandria, Va.

“This announcement underscores a cross-government partnership to use federal spaces and taxpayer dollars efficiently, ensuring that all buildings are being properly utilized,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner alongside Virginia GOP Gov. Glen Youngkin said during the announcement. “I know there are a lot of questions which understandably come with change and transition, but I can promise you that the future of HUD is brighter than its past.”

The space was made available after President Donald Trump this past winter reduced the foundation's size through his administration's Department of Government Efficiency, which laid off about 170 employees. 

HUD is the first major agency to relocate its headquarters as a part of DOGE initiatives to sell federal real estate in an effort to lower the deficit. HUD’s current headquarters, the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, is on the Senate DOGE Caucus’s list of buildings to be sold. 

The dilapidated building has cost taxpayers millions of dollars in upkeep for years, while posing health risks to workers due to leaks, poor air quality and broken elevators, according to Turner.

“This move signifies a prioritization of health, safety and well-being for our HUD workforce who previously were working in unsafe conditions to this date,” he also said. 

The Weaver Building would require nearly half a billion dollars over the next four years to meet minimum federal standards, according to HUD.

"There are serious concerns with the current state of HUD’s headquarters, including health hazards, leaks and structural and maintenance failures,” Turner said. “Many of these risks will needlessly and irresponsibly continue to absorb taxpayer dollars.”

The move, however, displaces 1,800 NSF employees with no current plan. 

General Services Administration Public Buildings Service Commissioner Michael Peters told NBC4 Washington, “We are supporting NSF. We want to enable them to continue to fulfill their mission and make this transition with as little disruption as possible. We don't have a plan yet.”

The relocation will save American taxpayers hundreds of millions in maintenance and modernization needs in addition to the Weaver Building’s more than $22 million yearly operations cost, according to HUD.