On February 14, it was reported that the FHA will undergo significant workforce reductions. According to the report, the new administration plans to lay off at least 40 percent of its workforce, possibly more. The administration’s reported directive to cut staff follows President Donald Trump’s order to eliminate positions not mandated by statute, including those related to diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The president of the union representing HUD employees, Antonio Gaines, reportedly confirmed the FHA would be impacted by these workforce reductions, which are part of a larger plan to discharge 50 percent of HUD’s employees. According to media reports, the layoffs will target specifically employees from the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, the Office of Policy Development and Research, and the Office of Community Planning and Development.
This news came on the heels of HUD Secretary Scott Turner’s February 13 announcement regarding the formation of a DOGE task force to review departmental spending, which had allegedly identified over $260 million in savings. Other federal agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, have also reported staff reductions under this initiative.
That same day, Secretary Turner also directed HUD to cease any pending or future enforcement actions related to the 2016 Equal Access Rule, which allows individuals to self-identify their gender in HUD-funded programs. This action aligned with President Trump’s executive order to recognize only two sexes with the aim that HUD services would be provided based on one’s biological sex at birth.
