Update: Court Issues Preliminary Injunction Further Pausing all Shutdown-related Firings

On October 28, 2025, a federal judge in California issued a preliminary injunction further halting government shutdown-related layoffs at all federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The ruling builds on an earlier restraining order and applies only to federal employees represented by the following unions: American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE); American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE); National Association of Government Employees (NAGE); Service Employees International Union (SEIU); National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU); American Federation of Teachers (AFT); and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE). 

HUD must continue to suspend all planned reductions in force (RIFs) affecting these union members, including the 442 RIF notices issued on October 10th. Impacted offices include Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity with 114 staff, Public and Indian Housing with 103, Housing Operations and Counseling with 86, and Community Planning and Development with 30. Many of these employees remain furloughed due to the government shutdown. 

NAR will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as they unfold. For more information on the impact of the shutdown on housing, visit the link below. 

What a Government Shutdown Means for REALTORS®