The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is moving out of its headquarters at the massive Weaver office building in downtown Washington, D.C., and relocating to an office building in Alexandria, Va., that has been home to the National Science Foundation (NSF), officials announced Wednesday.
“This announcement underscores a cross-government partnership to use federal spaces and taxpayer dollars efficiently, ensuring that all buildings are being properly utilized,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner said Wednesday at an event alongside Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) at the new office building. “I know there are a lot of questions which understandably come with change and transition, but I can promise you that the future of HUD is brighter than its past.”
“There's great days ahead, and HUD's new home will serve its workforce very well,” he added.
HUD's nearly 2,500 workers will be relocated in a “staggered” process, he said, to maintain productivity.
It's unclear where the NSF, an independent federal research body, will be moved to free space for HUD. The NSF declined to comment.
Michael Peters, commissioner of General Services Administration (GSA)’s Public Buildings Services, said GSA will work with the research group's leaders to find a new location.
“We're committed to helping them fulfill their mission,” he said.
The 10-story Robert C. Weaver building, which Turner previously described as “the ugliest building in D.C.,” has been HUD's home office since 1968, shortly after the agency's creation. It is named for the first HUD secretary and the first African American Cabinet member. The Weaver building, which was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, is among the federal properties that Republican lawmakers have proposed selling.
Turner began highlighting problems with the building, particularly health dangers that it posed to workers, shortly after taking the helm at HUD earlier this year.
“I would hope that no leader, in government or otherwise, would expect staff to work every day in an atmosphere where the air quality is questionable, leaks are nearly unstoppable, and the HVAC is almost unworkable, just to name a few examples in addition to the broken elevator banks that have been broken for years,” Turner said Wednesday. “It's time for a change.”
The Housing secretary posted a video on the social media platform X shortly after the announcement with footage of cracked floors, out-of-service elevators, equipment marked with caution tape and severe water leaks.
“The Old HUD building did not meet the standard of excellence we expect for our staff — constant leaks, health hazards, and costly repairs,” Turner wrote. “The New HUD building is indicative of our new, streamlined approach to government — the Golden Age of HUD is underway.”
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