Staff Changes at USICH Following Federal Workforce Reductions
Immediate Administrative Leave Notification
On April 15, all 13 employees of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) were informed by the agency’s acting director that they would be placed on administrative leave, effective immediately. This action correlates with a broader reduction in the federal workforce initiated by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on March 14, which also impacted the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.
Reaction from Leadership
Jeff Olivet, the former executive director of USICH and now a senior advisor on health and homelessness at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, characterized the decision as “devastating.” In an interview with NPR, Olivet stated that the staff at USICH had dedicated their careers to addressing homelessness and emphasized the negative implications for federal policy regarding homelessness overall.
Concerns About Compliance with Federal Law
The current acting director of USICH is Kenneth Jackson, who reportedly holds a position at another agency under Elon Musk. According to Bloomberg, his recent actions may contravene the statutory requirements set forth in the law that created the council. The legislation mandates that USICH develop an annual strategic plan to address homelessness and report its progress to Congress.
Collaboration Across Federal Agencies
USICH encompasses members from 19 different federal agencies, including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans Affairs. These agencies convene quarterly to enhance coordination and efficiency in addressing homelessness across the federal government.
Future Actions for USICH Employees
Reports indicate that the majority of USICH staff who have been placed on administrative leave are likely to accept a deferred resignation offer from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), indicating a significant shift in the agency’s ability to function effectively under its current circumstances.
