Wage and Labor

Labor Issues and Wage Complaints

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Labor Issues and Wage Complaints

HPD’s Labor Monitoring Unit (LMU) enforces federal and state laws that require contractors participating in affordable housing construction projects to pay laborers and mechanics any applicable minimum wage or prevailing wage requirements. LMU staff enforces these laws by:

  • Reviewing certified payroll submissions to determine compliance with applicable wage rates for the type of work performed;
  • Conducting site interviews to verify payroll data;
  • Investigating worker complaints and wage theft;
  • Authorizing the withholding of payments for wage underpayments or other labor law violations; and
  • Making referrals to law enforcement when necessary.

Prevailing Wage

Federal and state labor laws apply to HPD projects. On some HPD-assisted projects, workers must be paid prevailing wage rates. Both the federal and state Departments of Labor require contractors to post information regarding wage and hour information on construction sites. If you want to know if the project you worked on is subject to prevailing wage, look for these signs to determine the type of wages you must be paid.

For more information on federal and state worker prevailing wage rights, please visit the following:

Wage Complaints

HPD takes allegations of unfair and/or unlawful labor and employment violations seriously. If you believe you have, or someone you know has, been paid less than the required prevailing wage rate, contact LMU by one of the following methods: