The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) plans to close all of its offices for seven days as a result of sequestration cuts.
The anticipated days are May 24, June 14, July 5, July 22, Aug. 2, Aug. 16, and Aug. 30.
HUD must reduce its salaries and expenses by approximately $66 million.
About 9,000 department employees "will be losing 10 percent of their paycheck for up to seven paychecks," says Eddie Eitches, president of the American Federation of Government Employees National Council 222 of HUD locals.
"It is also serious on the program side," he says, noting that the budget for key housing programs stand to be cut by more than $2 billion.
That includes 125,000 individuals and families potentially losing benefits from the Housing Choice Voucher program, according to HUD.
Like many other top government leaders, nine senior HUD officials who are appointed by Congress and are exempt from sequestration will reportedly donate some of their salaries to a fund to help furloughed employees who need extra resources.
