HUD Moving Headquarters to Virginia, Displacing 1,800 NSF Workers

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is relocating from Washington, DC, to the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, in the first major agency to relocate out of the District under the Trump Administration.

This as the administration tries to better utilize federal real estate. 

HUD’s 2,700 workers will be displacing the 1,800 employees at NSF who work at the location at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue. There is currently no timetable for when NSF will be kicked out and when HUD will be moving in, although we know it will be a phased-in move for HUD to ensure continuity. 

The current HUD headquarters at the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building in L’Enfant Plaza is said to be in need of $500 million of repairs, with HVAC leaks, poor air quality, and broken elevators among just some of the problems. It is on the General Services Administration’s (GSA) list for accelerated sale. 

HUD Secretary Scott Turner said the move will not only give HUD workers a better office environment but will also save taxpayers money.  

“This announcement underscores a cross-government partnership to use federal spaces and taxpayer dollars efficiently, ensuring that all buildings are being properly utilized,” said Secretary Scott Turner at a news conference announcing the move. “Relocating is about more than just changing buildings; it’s about a mission-minded shift that we hope will inspire every employee. 

NSF Location in Question

What is unknown right now, is what will happen to the NSF workers. They staged a protest shortly before the HUD news conference announcing the move, forcing HUD officials to relocate the event to a different room. 

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which counts many NSF employees as members, blasted the decision to relocate HUD in the NSF office. 

“This callous disregard for taxpayer dollars and NSF employees comes after the Administration already cut NSF’s budget, staff and science grants and forced NSF employees back into the office,” said AFGE Local 3403 in a statement. 

Also criticizing the move was Virginia Democratic Congressman Don Beyer, who represents the district and vowed to fight.

“I will continue to do all I can to protect NSF’s legacy of scientific advancement, support its incredible staff, and ensure they have the resources they need with a minimum of disruption. That means its headquarters must remain in our community, where it belongs,” said Rep. Beyer in a statement. 

Meanwhile, GSA says it will work with NSF to find a new location. 

Virginia Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who supported the HUD move, said his goal is to also keep NSF in Virginia. 

“We had multiple sites that we presented to GSA for HUD, and we’re just dusting those off and are going to present them for NSF,” said Governor Youngkin.