HUD puts half-occupied headquarters building in DC up for sale

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently made headlines after it was revealed that only half of its D.C. headquarters is currently being utilized. This comes after the agency’s building was added to a list of federal properties marked for sale by the Trump administration.

HUD’s headquarters, located inside the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building in Washington, D.C., became the first major federal agency building to be included in the General Services Administration’s list of “assets identified for accelerated disposition.” This move is part of GOP efforts to streamline the government’s real estate portfolio and potentially relocate agency headquarters outside of the nation’s capital.

However, Democrats have been quick to push back against these efforts, with legislation introduced in Congress to block the sale of federal properties. Last month, the GSA retracted a list of 440 “non-core” assets, including the HUD headquarters, but subsequently posted a new list with HUD as the first major executive agency headquarters to be included.

President Donald Trump has long advocated for relocating federal agencies outside of Washington, D.C., as part of his broader efforts to reduce waste and streamline government operations. In a recent executive order, Trump rescinded previous actions that prevented agencies from relocating to lower-cost facilities, citing the benefits of moving agencies closer to the people they serve.

HUD Secretary Scott Turner emphasized the agency’s commitment to creating a workplace that reflects values of efficiency, accountability, and purpose. He stated that the agency is focused on rightsizing government operations and ensuring that facilities support optimal performance and exceptional service.

While the timeline and final location for the headquarters relocation are still being considered, HUD has indicated that the Washington, D.C., metro area remains one of the top options. The Robert C. Weaver Federal Building is facing $500 million in deferred maintenance and modernization needs, costing taxpayers more than $56 million annually in rent and operations expenditures.

Reports have also surfaced about the Department of Agriculture making plans to relocate its federal headquarters outside of D.C. This move signals a larger trend of federal agencies looking to streamline operations and cut costs by moving away from the nation’s capital.

Overall, the push to sell federal properties and relocate agency headquarters reflects ongoing efforts to optimize government operations and deliver better results for the American people. The debate over the future of federal properties in D.C. is likely to continue as both parties navigate the complexities of real estate management in the public sector.