Federal Workforce Faces Deep Job Cuts in Housing and Research
Amidst efforts to reduce the federal government's size, nearly 50% of US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employees are expected to lose their jobs, according to AFGE Council 222 President Antonio Gaines.
The cuts will disproportionately impact certain divisions within HUD:
* 75% reduction in offices responsible for enforcing housing and employment discrimination laws
* Significant reductions in the Office of Policy Development and Research (market data and analysis) and the Office of Community Planning and Development (affordable housing, homelessness assistance, and disaster recovery)
Gaines expressed concern about the impact on crucial services, such as housing vouchers and grants to rural hospitals. "It's pretty devastating. There could be huge disruptions in services to American citizens," he said.
The Trump administration's broader workforce reduction efforts have resulted in layoffs and voluntary separations for hundreds of thousands of government workers.