Federal Agencies Report Mixed Office Utilization Data

A government audit reveals inconsistent reporting and varying progress in reducing federal office footprints since January 2025.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Remote Work

Isometric editorial illustration of a generic stone government building facade, representing federal office space management and auditing standards. — Federal agencies have struggled to standardize occupancy reporting, with the GAO citing inconsistent methods across 700 tracked government spaces. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Since January 2025, federal agencies have spent $16 million on assessments to track office usage as part of a mandate to improve space efficiency. The Government Accountability Office found inconsistent reporting methods that left significant gaps in occupancy data.

Why it matters

Federal office space management is a massive financial burden, with the government spending $7 billion annually on leases and operations. Standardizing how agencies measure attendance is critical to identifying surplus space and curbing government waste.

The federal government spends $5 billion annually on leasing and $2 billion on maintenance. Agencies currently face pressure to cut costs, such as the General Services Administration plan to reduce office space by 40,000 square feet in Kansas City.

The players

Government Accountability Office

This is a non-partisan federal agency that works to provide Congress with timely, reliable, and objective information regarding government spending.

General Services Administration

This federal agency manages government property, oversees federal building projects, and provides logistics for other government branches.

Department of Homeland Security

This cabinet department is responsible for public security, including the management of various agency offices across the United States.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

This department oversees federal policies related to farming, forestry, and food, and it currently manages significant real estate assets.

The details

Agencies utilized methods such as badge scanning, check-in surveys, and visual inspections to audit building usage. However, the Department of Homeland Security failed to provide occupancy data for 700 spaces, and the GSA intentionally excluded certain vacant properties from its official report.

2016: Efforts to establish a public buildings reform board failed.
January 2025: Federal agencies began the $16 million office utilization assessment.
Last three years: Congress declined to provide appropriations for a reform board.
Next 20 years: The Department of Homeland Security expects to realize $350 million in savings.

Market Landscape

This audit reflects a broader push for efficiency in federal real estate management following the implementation of the Utilizing Space Efficiently and Improving Technologies Act. Efforts like the Department of Energy’s plan to cut seven leases illustrate a shifting focus toward reducing expensive government overhead.

Taxpayers could see long-term fiscal benefits as agencies reduce their real estate footprint to save billions in lease costs. While this audit focus on federal buildings, it sets a precedent for how government operations are expected to adapt to modern workspace requirements.

The takeaway

Improving federal office efficiency requires consistent, standardized data collection across all departments. Without a unified reporting system, agencies will continue to struggle with high operational costs for underutilized property.