Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) leadership on February 24 notified union management of the beginning of the agency’s Reduction in Force, also called a RIF.

The agency will abolish all positions of GS-13 and below for employees in the Office of Field Policy and Management (FPM), according to the announcement sent by Secretary Scott Turner.  The notice reads that “GS-13 level and below are being abolished” by May 18, 2025.

The notification follows an Executive Order issued by President Trump on February 11, 2025, that requires workforce optimization plans across federal agencies, including abolishing federal positions that are not specifically mandated by statute, as well as additional agency reorganization as defined through guidance provided by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

While the RIF action announced on February 24 will begin to impact field office work within HUD, the agency will likely continue to drastically reduce the workforce among its program staff, including within Multifamily Housing program offices, to achieve the stated goal of a 50% staff cuts to HUD.

LeadingAge urgently requests an explanation and revocation of the notice from HUD. We are deeply concerned by the staff reductions, which could stop the agency from administering programs that affordable housing communities rely on.

According to OPM definitions and summaries of RIF actions, an agency must give an employee at least 60 days specific written notice before the employee is released from the competitive level by a RIF action.

If faced with an unforeseeable situation (e.g., a natural disaster), the agency may, with OPM approval, give the employee a specific RIF notice of less than 60 days, but at least 30 days, before the effective date of the RIF. An employee who has been separated, downgraded, or furloughed for more than 30 days by RIF has the right to appeal.