The Trump administration is planning major cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which could result in 34 states losing local HUD staff responsible for underwriting mortgages, according to National Mortgage Professional. President Trump has ordered Cabinet members to reduce federal employees, warning that if they don't, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, will enforce the cuts. HUD, under Secretary Scott Turner, may lose up to half its workforce, though the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is expected to remain unaffected.
Democratic leaders in the Senate have criticized the proposed cuts, arguing they would delay or halt housing, community development, and disaster recovery projects. Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY) highlighted that HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development could lose 84% of its staff.
Addressing HUD employees in February, Turner provided some insight on his expectations for the department. “I will tell all of you here at HUD and those that are listening, we have, bar none, the best team that led me through this process” of being confirmed as Secretary, he said. “Those of you all that are in the room, thank you all for showing up, by the way.”
Turner thanked HUD employees for their service, and noted, “I believe that leadership is built on trust” and referred to himself as “the new servant-leader of HUD.” Read more