The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development plans to close its Spokane field office as the federal agency restructures its programs to reduce costs, says Lee Jones, a Seattle-based spokesman for the federal agency.

HUD will offer options for the six employees who work out of the office here to relocate or accept buyouts or early retirement, Jones says.

The Spokane office is located on the fifth floor of the Thomas S. Foley U.S. Courthouse, at 920 W. Riverside, downtown. It will be one of more than 40 offices that HUD will close nationwide.

The office closure here is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, Jones says. HUD clients here will be served through a Seattle office.

HUD's multifamily program provides mortgage insurance to HUD-approved lenders to encourage construction, rehabilitation, acquisition, and financing of multifamily housing projects as well as to administer a number of project-based rental-assistance programs.

The agency's field policy and management program provides oversight to ensure HUD programs are administered efficiently at the local level.

HUD estimates the cost-cutting measures will save the multifamily program up to $45 million annually and will save the field policy and management program up to $150 million over 10 years.