HUD ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF TUCSON OFFICE
A streamlined, modernized department means a smaller national footprint.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Ophelia Basgal, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Regional Administrator, announced the agency's office in Tucson, Arizona will close as part of a realignment of staff resources to better support program delivery. Nationwide, HUD plans to close 16 of its 80 field offices, affecting approximately 120 employees. It is anticipated the office will be closed by early fiscal year 2014. The moves will result in meaningful savings in administrative costs, anywhere from $110 to $150 million in lease and operating costs over a 10 year period.

"The closure plan provides for optimal use of HUD's human capital, better results for HUD customers, and greater efficiencies for American taxpayers," said Basgal. "Like families and businesses across the country, we cannot continue to operate like we did decades ago. America has changed, communities have changed and we must change."

"We looked at where our staff needs to be in order to make certain we can achieve the greatest possible impact on the people and places we serve," said Pat Hoban-Moore, HUD's Assistant Deputy Secretary for Field Policy and Management. "We will implement this realignment without disrupting the program delivery networks currently serving communities throughout the nation."

"While these restructuring actions may be difficult for some employees, they are necessary to improve the long term organizational efficiency of the Department," explained Basgal. "We are realigning HUD to deliver the best value to customers and taxpayers."

HUD staff in Phoenix will work with HUD clients serviced by the Tucson office to ensure uninterrupted, quality service going forward. HUD will retain a large office in Phoenix, as well as the regional office in San Francisco, California.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.