Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, is demanding an emergency hearing to examine layoffs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
In a letter to the Committee’s chairman, Rep. French Hill (R-AR), requested having HUD Secretary Scott Turner explain the reductions to the department’s workforce since he took office.
“Despite HUD’s critical mission and since his Senate confirmation on February 5, 2025, Secretary Turner has partnered with unelected billionaire Elon Musk and the DOGE to terminate thousands of HUD employees who carry out the work of the agency – with further plans to substantially cut staffing levels in DC and local field offices,” Waters wrote. “We have also received reports from grantees that the Secretary has continued to improperly withhold program funding appropriated by Congress, despite a court-ordered restraining order on the Office of Management and Budget’s funding freeze directive. Not only that, but the Secretary has also halted enforcement of the Equal Access Rule which ensures all people experiencing homelessness have access to homeless shelters and services in line with federal fair housing protections.”
Waters added there was “growing public concern about the decisions being taken by the Secretary and Musk. Mortgage industry participants reportedly are alarmed that cuts at Ginnie Mae and the FHA may harm the mortgage market and prevent mortgage closings. Housing advocates are alarmed that many nonprofits that manage the provision of rental assistance may be denied funds appropriated by Congress, leaving both renters and landlords in the lurch. The Committee should be afforded the opportunity to investigate what is happening before irreparable harm is done to our economy.”
