GAO: HUD Workforce Reduced by Nearly One-Third

In a report released on October 14, 2026, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) details the extent and impact of staffing losses at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) between December 2024 and December 2025. 2025 Workforce and Spending Changes addresses three specific topics: changes to HUD's workforce, field office structure, and grant and contract spending; effects of those changes on selected HUD functions, as reported by housing stakeholders; and publicly reported steps HUD has taken to manage the changes.

Staffing impacts were significant: HUD reduced staff by 29%, a reduction largely achieved through the deferred resignation programs offered to federal employees. This reduction in staff had a disproportionate impact on staff with decades of institutional knowledge: over half the employees who separated had at least 10 years of service at HUD, including 41% with more than 20 years of service. On the spending side, GAO found that of the 68 HUD programs that made new grant awards from fiscal year 2016 through fiscal 2024, almost half (36) of them did not make awards in 2025. The GAO report found widespread delays in stakeholder communication with HUD staff, operational disruptions, and other impacts, such as delayed property inspections.

These ramifications from HUD understaffing match the experiences of many LeadingAge housing provider members, who rely on a competent and properly staffed HUD to successfully achieve their missions.