The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has seen a significant number of employees accept voluntary departure packages since the beginning of the year, according to reports. Approximately 2,300 individuals have now taken advantage of these offers, which provide financial incentives for leaving their positions.
As Secretary Scott Turner stated, “To continue serving the American people at the highest standard, we are taking inventory of all programs and personnel while maintaining a strong workforce that is dedicated to supporting our most vulnerable and promoting pathways to self-sufficiency.” He further explained that these initiatives align with President Trump’s goals for greater efficiency within the federal government.
The initial wave of deferred resignations was facilitated by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which offered employees eight months of salary and benefits as an inducement to leave their roles, a program concluding earlier in 2025. Recognizing that some individuals may have missed this opportunity, HUD launched a second round of these voluntary departures on March 31st.
Prior to the Trump administration, HUD had nearly 10,000 employees. The recent departures underscore an effort to reshape the agency’s workforce and address concerns about operational effectiveness.
The current administration has emphasized a return to in-person work following a period where many HUD staff operated remotely, leading to what some described as a noticeable decline in activity at the department’s Washington headquarters. One source previously compared the offices to an empty seasonal store, highlighting the stark contrast with previous levels of operation.
As HUD noted on its official X account, “On week 1, President Trump went straight to work on reforming the federal workforce. One option offered to federal employees was a ‘fork in the road’ to separate from the federal workforce.” The second round of the Deferred Resignation Program, also referred to as a “fork in the road,” runs through April 11, 2025.
Secretary Turner has been vocal about his commitment to revitalizing HUD and ensuring accountability. He stated that the previous period of remote work was “a huge disservice to the American people” and a “massive waste of hard-earned taxpayer dollars.” He emphasized the importance of in-person collaboration, stating: “I’ve been on many teams in my career, and I know from experience that in-person teamwork ensures accountability and fosters an environment of collaboration, creativity and communication. At HUD, we’re getting back to work for the American people.”
President Trump initiated this shift by directing agency heads to end remote work policies established during the COVID-19 pandemic. This directive signaled a renewed focus on in-person operations and a commitment to ensuring government employees are actively engaged in their duties.
The HUD Secretary has made it clear that serving Americans is the department’s sole priority, and he intends to ensure this remains the case through workforce adjustments and operational improvements.