As Trump jettisons its staff, HUD puts its D.C. headquarters up for sale

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is looking for a smaller, cheaper building for its headquarters. It’s part of a larger Trump administration push to shrink not only the number of federal employees, but also the office spaces where they work.

In announcing the plan, the agency said its 1968 building in Washington, D.C., currently faces over $500 million in deferred “maintenance and modernization.” It said current staff occupy only half the space and that relocating will “reduce the burden on the American taxpayer.”

HUD Secretary Scott Turner has also called the massive, curved Brutalist structure “the ugliest building in D.C.

“HUD’s focus is on creating a workplace that reflects the values of efficiency, accountability, and purpose,” Turner said in a statement. “We’re committed to rightsizing government operations … to deliver results for the American people.”

The agency did not say how much it’s asking for the building.

DOGE, the cost-cutting team overseen by billionaire Elon Musk, has targeted cutting HUD staff by half, according to an internal document seen by NPR.

HUD headquarters, formally called the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, is now up for sale, although that could be complicated by its listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The agency said a timeline and final location are not yet set, but that “the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area remains a top priority.”

HUD headquarters is near a busy metro stop in downtown D.C. But this week, President Trump gave federal agencies more flexibility to locate outside of city centers. He revoked two previous orders, by Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, that had encouraged agencies to locate in business districts and historic properties.

Trump’s order said those past measures “prevented agencies from relocating to lower-cost facilities,” and that agencies “must be where the people are.”

 

Climate change is boosting the risk of sleep apnea

Hotter temperatures make breathing problems during sleep more likely, even when it's not extremely hot

The David Lynch estate auction doubled as a caffeinated wake

Most of the bidding action was online. But at a ritzy Beverly Hills hotel, hopeful bidders united by genuine affection for Lynch admired the tools of the late artist's trade. It was a mirthful wake.

An AI video ad is making a splash. Is it the future of advertising?

The over-the-top ad combines the energy of Grand Theft Auto with the drama of the NBA Finals — all created by AI. Is it a sign of things to come?

‘It’s such a dream’: Top high school performers step out on Broadway

With a billboard in Times Square and a night on Broadway, the year's top high school performers are ready for their big moment at the Jimmy Awards.

4 takeaways on the U.S. airstrikes on Iran — and what might come next

The Trump administration said its strikes were intended to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Now, Iran weighs a response against what it called an "outrageous" military operation.

Tick risks vary by region. Here’s where diseases have spread and how to stay safe

Tick bites are are on the rise this and they can carry some nasty illnesses. Which are most common depends where you live. Here's what to know to protect yourself.

More Front Page Coverage