PURCELLVILLE, VA — U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam is investigating whether failures in federal housing inspections and staffing cuts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture contributed to unsafe conditions at a Purcellville apartment complex where at least 56 residents were forced to evacuate last week.
The Virginia Democrat has demanded that USDA provide inspection records for Purcellville East Apartments after unsafe stairwells prompted 22 units to be evacuated. He is also seeking information about the agency's oversight of other federally financed affordable housing properties in Virginia's 10th Congressional District, which he represents.
In a letter to USDA, Subramanyam questioned why deteriorating conditions at the complex were not addressed before residents were forced from their homes on Thursday.
"Oversight is urgently needed to determine how and why these conditions were not addressed sooner," Subramanyam wrote.
Twenty-four apartments in the Purcellville East complex, located at 110-120 N. 16th St. in Purcellville, were found to be unsafe on Thursday after a reported stairway collapse and a subsequent inspection that found stairwells in six buildings unsafe. Twenty-two of the units were occupied at the time.
The complex includes housing financed through USDA's Section 515 Rural Rental Housing program, which supports affordable rental properties in rural communities.
Residents had previously reported problems including mold, leaking faucets and broken air conditioning units, according to Subramanyam.
Investigation Targets Federal Inspections, Staffing Cuts
Under USDA policy, physical inspections of Section 515 properties are generally required every three years, with annual inspections for certain properties with outstanding deficiencies.
The congressman asked USDA to disclose when Purcellville East was last inspected, what inspectors found and whether required inspections have been delayed during the past three years. He also wants to know how many housing inspections the department conducted annually from 2024 through 2026.
The letter raises questions about whether recent federal workforce reductions have weakened the agency's ability to oversee affordable housing.
Citing Office of Personnel Management data, Subramanyam said USDA Rural Development's workforce has declined by approximately 38 percent. He also noted plans to relocate positions to St. Louis, Missouri, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
He asked how many USDA employees or contractors currently conduct housing inspections, compared with staffing levels on Jan. 19, 2025, and whether the agency's reorganization will affect its inspection workforce.
Subramanyam also requested information about whether USDA has shifted its reliance from federal employees to private contractors for conducting inspections.
Congressman Wants Other Loudoun-Area Properties Examined
Subramanyam is also seeking a list of every Section 515 housing property in Virginia's 10th Congressional District and the date of its most recent federal inspection.
He asked whether USDA has received complaints about deteriorating conditions at other federally financed properties in the district and called for immediate inspections of every Section 515 property in his district that is due for one.
USDA has until Nov. 13 to respond to the congressman's questions.
Evacuation Disrupts Families' Jobs, Schools
Meanwhile, the displaced residents are staying in hotels and other temporary accommodations.
Subramanyam noted that many families have young children and that relocation could make it difficult to reach schools and workplaces.
It remains unclear when evacuated residents will be allowed to return or what repairs will be required before the affected apartments can be occupied again.
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