On February 11, President Trump released an Executive Order on Government Efficiency and Workforce Optimization with measures to significantly hinder the capacity of federal agencies, including HUD. The executive action directs agencies to reduce staffing by hiring only one employee for every four who depart; require hiring decisions to be made in consultation with each agency’s “DOGE Team Lead”; require agency/department heads to begin large-scale reductions in force (RIFs), with a focus on non-statutory functions, namely diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives; and finally, agency/department heads are prohibited from filling any vacancies for career appointments that the “DOGE Team Lead” decides should not be filled. NLIHC strongly opposes this action, and urges advocates to take action to protect HUD programs and staff, which support critical services to address and prevent homelessness, and much more.
The executive order will worsen existing staffing shortages, add layers of oversight that could delay the recruitment process, and threaten the ability of departments like HUD to meet their missions. While the order exempts functions tied to the military, immigration enforcement, and law enforcement, essential public service programs such as housing, education, health, and social welfare may face operational challenges. Reduced staffing could result in fewer resources for vulnerable communities, and diminished program effectiveness, potentially decreasing public trust in government services.
Read the full executive order here.
Take action to urge Congress to protect HUD programs and staff!