The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has taken a significant step towards enhancing government efficiency by establishing a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) task force. HUD Secretary Scott Turner announced the formation of this task force with the primary goal of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal agency.
As part of this initiative, DOGE revealed that $1.9 billion in HUD funds had been recovered, which were previously misplaced during the Biden administration. These funds, originally earmarked for financial services administration but deemed unnecessary, have now been made available for use by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Secretary Turner emphasized the importance of maximizing taxpayer money and budget efficiency by launching the HUD DOGE Task Force. This task force, led by HUD employees, will conduct a thorough review of the agency's spending practices and report directly to Turner.
Turner highlighted the administration's commitment to scrutinizing every dollar spent to benefit rural, tribal, and urban communities. The DOGE task force aligns with President Trump's executive order to enhance governmental efficiency and productivity.
The HUD DOGE Task Force aims to ensure that all programs, processes, and personnel within the agency work cohesively to fulfill its mission of national housing policy and urban development. Already, the task force has identified over $260 million in savings, with ongoing efforts to achieve further efficiencies.
Other government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Defense, are also taking steps to collaborate with DOGE in reducing wasteful spending. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the cancellation of a $50 million environmental justice grant, citing concerns over the recipient organization's advocacy stance.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed the Department of Defense's commitment to partnering with DOGE to ensure responsible budget management. This collaborative approach underscores the government's collective effort to streamline operations and enhance fiscal responsibility.
