The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will relocate its headquarters to the National Science Foundation (NSF) building in Alexandria, displacing approximately 1,800 NSF employees over the next two years, officials announced Wednesday.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and General Services Administration (GSA) Commissioner Michael Peters made the announcement at the NSF headquarters at 2415 Eisenhower Ave. on Wednesday (June 25), emphasizing taxpayer savings and improved working conditions for HUD employees.
“This is about the HUD employees to have a safe space, to have a nice place to work, to represent the people that we serve in America,” Turner said during the press conference. “This is not about the secretary. This is about the posterity and the future of HUD.”
The move represents the first major federal agency headquarters relocation under the Trump administration’s effort to right-size the federal real estate portfolio, according to Peters.
“HUD will be the first major agency headquarters relocation in the Trump administration’s effort to right-size our federal real estate portfolio,” Peters said. “This decision is about more than simply moving offices. It’s a transformative investment in the future of HUD.”
The relocation will save taxpayers over $500 million in deferred maintenance costs and $56 million in annual operating and maintenance expenses, Peters said. HUD currently occupies the aging Weaver building in Washington, D.C., which has struggled with infrastructure problems, including questionable air quality, persistent leaks, and malfunctioning HVAC systems.
“For too long, the Weaver building has struggled with aging infrastructure and ongoing maintenance issues that continue to burden the American taxpayer while failing to deliver the workplaces that our public servants deserve and need,” Peters said.
The announcement comes after NSF employees received a staff memorandum Wednesday morning informing them of the upcoming change. The memo, signed by Brian Stone, who is performing the duties of NSF director, stated that GSA determined NSF is not fully utilizing its allocated office space.
“The General Services Administration, who manages all federal properties, including our leased building, has informed us that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be moving into our current space in the coming months,” the memo stated.
Youngkin praised the decision as validation of Virginia’s business-friendly environment and its high-quality workforce.
“It’s not every day. In fact, I don’t think it’s ever been that a federal cabinet-level agency has moved its headquarters to Virginia,” Youngkin said. “What a day for Virginia. It’s doubly exciting because we are not only seeing this move, which is going to include 2,700 employees, but also it affirms that Virginia is the place to be.”
The governor highlighted Virginia’s economic performance, citing 270,000 additional jobs since he took office, 15,000 new high-growth small businesses, and over $100 billion in capital commitments from companies.
“Virginia continues to be a magnet welcoming opportunity wherever it presents itself,” Youngkin said.
The building, completed in 2017, offers modern amenities including proximity to the Eisenhower Metro station and the Hoffman Town Center with restaurants and other services for federal employees.
Officials emphasized the transition will be managed carefully to minimize disruption to NSF operations. Peters said GSA is committed to working with both agencies to ensure a smooth transition while helping NSF identify suitable alternative space.
“We’re going to do it as quickly as we can while also doing it in a manner that isn’t disruptive to the current tenants,” Peters said. “Everyone is on board leadership across HUD and NSF to making that happen.”
When asked by ALXnow about the NSF’s future location and whether one of GSA’s other ten properties in Alexandria could be used for the NSF, Peters indicated that the agency would likely remain in Virginia, citing multiple available GSA properties in Alexandria and Northern Virginia.
“If I were a betting man, I would bet they will end up in Virginia,” Peters said. “But that is not a promise.”
Turner addressed criticism from the American Federation of Government Employees, which alleged the move would include luxury accommodations for the secretary, including an executive suite, dining room, and gym.
“That’s ridiculous and it’s not true,” Turner said. “I didn’t come to government to get nice things. This is about the HUD employees. This is not about me.”
The secretary emphasized that the move serves the current and future needs of HUD employees, rather than providing personal benefits.
“The decisions that we’re making today, these aren’t easy decisions. These are hard decisions to make,” Turner said. “But it’s not just for now. It’s for future generations of people that call HUD home.”
HUD will ultimately occupy the entire 660,000-square-foot building, though officials have not provided a specific timeline for the complete transition. The process will be staggered to accommodate both agencies’ operational needs.
The announcement drew some disruption from NSF employees, forcing organizers to move the press conference from one second-floor room to another due to chanting and noise from staff members.
Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and City Manager Jim Parajon attended the event but were not recognized and did not participate in the press conference.
“After learning about this announcement late last night, I attended today’s press event to hear the details of this deal and what it means for Alexandria,” Mayor Gaskins told ALXnow following the press conference. “This is a city where businesses choose to locate because we collaborate, deliver results, and build for the future. It is that success that brought the National Science Foundation (NSF) to Alexandria in 2017”.
Mayor Gaskins continued, “In a region where federal, state, and local responsibilities intersect daily, collaboration isn’t optional—it’s essential. Moving forward, we expect to work together to ensure that the workers, businesses, and residents benefit. We welcome HUD and its workforce. We have a long and significant partnership with NSF and are committed to keeping their home in Alexandria”.
Regarding Mayor Gaskins and Parajon’s attendance at the event, a HUD spokesperson offered the following response to ALXnow following the event, “We were delighted to have Mayor Gaskins and City Manager Parajon at this important event. Their partnership, collaboration, and coordination will be invaluable as HUD moves to its new headquarters. We are excited for continued conversations with local leadership.”
GSA will begin the process of disposing of HUD’s current Weaver building, though Peters said the timeline for that disposition is still being determined and will factor in other federal property sales currently underway in the District.
The move represents a significant shift for both agencies, with HUD reducing its overall space footprint while gaining modern facilities, and NSF facing relocation after establishing operations in the Alexandria building less than a decade ago.
ALXnow’s Coverage of the NSF Headquarters Relocation
- June 27: EXCLUSIVE: Warner, Kaine, Beyer demand answers on NSF’s forced exit from Alexandria headquarters
- June 26: Senator Warner demands cost analysis for HUD move to Alexandria, raises concerns about NSF displacement
- June 25: HUD announces relocation to National Science Foundation building in Alexandria
- June 24: Report: National Science Foundation headquarters to be taken over by HUD, displacing 1,800+ employees
Staff Memo To NSF Employees
NSF Employees received the following around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday (June 25).
U.S. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314
STAFF MEMORANDUM
OD 25-45
June 25, 2025
ORGANIZATION
SUBJECT: NSF Headquarters Facility Update
This note is to inform you about an upcoming change regarding our office space here in Alexandria, VA. As the federal government continues to assess utilization of space and occupancy across all properties, it has been determined that NSF is not fully using the office space and other areas currently allocated to us.
The General Services Administration (GSA), who manages all federal properties, including our leased building, has informed us that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be moving into our current space in the coming months. HUD is holding a press conference in our building today at 10:30am to make this announcement.
I spoke with the Commissioner of the GSA Public Building Service yesterday, and his team is committed to work with both us and HUD to ensure a smooth transition that maintains our ability to work efficiently and comfortably as we move to another building in the Washington, D.C. area in the near future.
More details will be shared as soon as we receive them. Our top priority will be to understand the timeline and suitable spaces for the agency as soon as possible.
Thank you for your professionalism and continued dedication to the NSF mission.
Brian Stone
Performing the duties of the Director
Response from Union
The American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 3403, which represents NSF employees, published the following letter on Tuesday (June 24).
Governor Youngkin’s Official Announcement
Governor Youngkin’s office issued the following press release on Wednesday afternoon following the press conference.
Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Relocation of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Headquarters to Alexandria
Move to 2415 Eisenhower Avenue unlocks hundreds of millions in taxpayer savings, improves health and safety, and strengthens mission effectiveness
Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced alongside U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner and U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service Commissioner Michael Peters that HUD will relocate its headquarters from the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building in Washington, D.C., to 2415 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia. This move will save taxpayers several hundred million dollars in deferred maintenance and modernization costs, address serious health and safety hazards, and provide HUD’s more than 2,700 headquarters employees with a modern, mission-focused work environment in the Commonwealth.
“Virginia is a great place to be headquartered, and we are excited to welcome the Department of Housing and Urban Development and their over 2,700 headquarters-based employees to the best state in America to live, work, and raise a family,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Since the Trump Administration started transforming the federal government to better serve the American people, our team has been focused on seizing the new opportunities that this presents for the Commonwealth. Virginia is the proud home to many public and private-sector headquarters, and we thank HUD leadership for trusting us and are committed to supporting your important national mission.”
“It is time to turn the page on the Weaver Building and relocate to a new headquarters that prioritizes the well-being of HUD employees and properly reflects the passion and excellence of our team,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. “There are serious concerns with the current state of HUD’s headquarters—from mold to asbestos and leaks to maintenance failures. Many of these risks do not have a long-term solution and will needlessly and irresponsibly continue to absorb taxpayer dollars. Relocating is about more than just changing buildings; it’s about a mission-minded shift that we hope will inspire every employee. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are advancing this vision and instituting a new American Golden Age.”
“The decision to relocate HUD’s headquarters is a move that reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and mission effectiveness,” said Michael Peters, Commissioner of GSA’s Public Buildings Service. “The Robert C. Weaver Federal Building requires hundreds of millions in long-term repairs and this move will ensure they quickly have access to a modern work environment that fits their needs.”
For decades, the Weaver Building has been plagued by severe infrastructure, safety, and operational challenges. It has deteriorated well beyond the point of cost-effective repair, creating significant financial obligations for the federal government if occupancy is maintained. Addressing minimum federal standards would require nearly half a billion dollars over the next four years. In April 2025, HUD and the General Services Administration added HUD headquarters to the accelerated disposition list.
Following today’s announcement, HUD will implement a staggered relocation plan in coordination with GSA and expects to complete the move in the coming months. The relocation to Alexandria, Virginia will save American taxpayers hundreds of millions in deferred maintenance and modernization needs and more than $56 million in annual operations expenditures at the Robert C. Weaver Building.
City of Alexandria Response
The City of Alexandria published the following press release on Wednesday afternoon following the press conference.
HUD Moves Headquarters to Alexandria; City Committed to Retaining NSF HQ
Alexandria, Va – Today the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) announced that it would be moving into the current headquarters of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins and City Manager James Parajon attended the press event led by HUD Secretary Scott Turner, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and General Services Administration (GSA) Public Building Service Commissioner Michael Peters to learn more details about the decision and its impact on our community.
Alexandria is a premier city to live, work, visit, and do business, and it is a place where businesses choose to locate because we collaborate, deliver results, and build for the future. It is that spirit of collaboration that originally brought the National Science Foundation to Alexandria in 2017. In a region where federal, state, and local responsibilities intersect daily, collaboration and coordination are essential.
We welcome HUD, the first cabinet-level agency to locate in Alexandria, its 2,700 employees, and its vital mission to our community. And we are committed to making sure that the National Science Foundation, its workers, and its vital mission continue to make their home in Alexandria.
Congressman Beyer Reacts
Congressman Don Beyer provided the following press release on Wednesday afternoon.
Beyer Statement on Proposed Plans to Relocate HUD and NSF Headquarters
June 25, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement after Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and Commissioner of the General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service Michael Peters announced plans to relocate the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) out of the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building in Washington, D.C. and into the headquarters of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia:
“The National Science Foundation is one of the crown jewels of the U.S. government, with an incredibly successful record of driving innovation and scientific breakthroughs that are essential to America’s economy, security, and global leadership. The public servants who power this essential mission must have a safe, secure, and well-maintained workplace that allows them to effectively serve the public – and our community remains the ideal location.
“I believe in HUD’s mission and agree that HUD employees need a facility that provides the safe environment they deserve and reflects the value of their service. That said, the best way to demonstrate the value of HUD staff would be to halt ongoing attempts to lay them off. As a proud Alexandrian, I am always proud to welcome federal agencies into our community, but this proposed move raises serious concerns about the future of NSF, the over 1,800 employees who work in the building, and the broader integrity of American science.
“NSF thrives in and because of our region’s robust science and technology environment that boasts exceptional talent and policy expertise, with impacts that reach far beyond our region. NSF funds a quarter of all scientific research across the country, supporting research in every state that is deeply embedded in local economies. However, this relocation comes at a time when, at President Trump’s direction, NSF is reeling from mass firings of staff and clumsy grant cancellations and freezes that harm our national interests. Harming NSF’s work will directly harm people across this country. 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.”
Beyer serves the Northern Virginia district that is home to the National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria. He previously served on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
ALXnow’s Coverage of the NSF Headquarters Relocation
- June 27: EXCLUSIVE: Warner, Kaine, Beyer demand answers on NSF’s forced exit from Alexandria headquarters
- June 26: Senator Warner demands cost analysis for HUD move to Alexandria, raises concerns about NSF displacement
- June 25: HUD announces relocation to National Science Foundation building in Alexandria
- June 24: Report: National Science Foundation headquarters to be taken over by HUD, displacing 1,800+ employees
