HUD ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF TWO FLORIDA OFFICES
A Streamlined, Modernized Department Means a Smaller National Footprint

ATLANTA - Ed Jennings Jr., the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Regional Administrator, announced the agency's small offices in Orlando and Tampa 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 offices will be closed by early fiscal year 2014. The move will result in meaningful administrative savings, 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 Jennings. "Like families and businesses across the country, we cannot continue to operate like we did several 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 are personally difficult because of the impact on a very limited number of employees, they are necessary to improve execution and to the long term health of the Department," explained Jennings. "We are realigning to deliver the best value to customers and taxpayers."

HUD will retain two large offices in Florida, in Jacksonville and Miami as well as the regional office in Atlanta, Georgia. Staff from these offices currently manage program delivery to central Florida and will continue to work with clients in the affected areas to ensure uninterrupted, quality service going forward.

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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 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.