The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is currently seeking a smaller and more cost-effective location for its headquarters. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce the size of both the federal workforce and the office spaces they occupy. According to HUD, its current building in Washington, D.C., built in 1968, requires over $500 million in deferred maintenance and modernization. Presently, only half of the available space is being utilized by the staff. Relocating is anticipated to alleviate the financial burden on taxpayers.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner has described the extensive, curved Brutalist structure as “the ugliest building in D.C.” He emphasized that HUD is focused on creating a workplace that embodies efficiency, accountability, and purpose. The department is committed to optimizing government operations to effectively serve the public. HUD has not disclosed the asking price for the current building.
The plan to sell the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building could face challenges due to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Although no timeline or final location has been confirmed, the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area remains a priority for HUD’s future headquarters. The current building is situated near a busy metro stop in downtown D.C. However, a recent order from President Trump grants federal agencies greater flexibility in relocating outside city centers, aiming to reduce costs associated with locating in business districts and historic properties. The president’s order rescinds previous directives from Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, which had encouraged agencies to situate themselves in such areas.
