Alarmed at a reported plan to cut U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by 50%, Senate Democratic housing policy and funding leaders expressed concern to HUD Secretary Scott Turner in a February 16 letter.

“Initial reports suggest no program office would be spared, with staffing cuts ranging from 10 percent to 84 percent. Some of the most drastic reductions impact areas that support highly vulnerable people, including seniors, homeless veterans and families, and people with disabilities, and provide billions of dollars to cities and counties across the country. Without sufficient staff to run these programs, community and economic development projects, disaster recovery efforts, and housing development across the country will be delayed and could come to a grinding halt,” the letter says. The plan to cut half of HUD’s workforce is in addition to the 13% reduction in HUD staff that has already taken place during the new administration because of terminations of probationary staff and the deferred resignation program taken by other staff, the letter says.

LeadingAge is extremely concerned about such a dramatic reduction in HUD staff, the extent of which makes it impossible to effectively administer HUD’s programs in ways congress intended. LeadingAge also believes that the swiftness of the planned staff reductions, reportedly to be completed by April 1, is also an indication that programmatic needs and functions will not be adequately considered.

The letter is signed by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ranking Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

Read the Senators’ letter here.

Follow the latest in our EO Compliance, Funding Freeze, and DOGE Updates serial post.