New York City is in the middle of an ambitious initiative to combat the housing crisis by rapidly expanding affordable housing. Under Mayor Eric Adams’ housing blueprint, the city aims to create or preserve over 500,000 housing units by 2032, with an aggressive acceleration in 2025 through rezoning, fast-tracked permitting, and expanded funding for low-income developments.
But this drive to build faster and cheaper is having a dangerous side effect of rising construction site injuries, particularly on affordable housing projects.
At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our NYC construction accident lawyers are representing more construction workers who’ve been injured while helping build the city’s future, often because safety protocols are being overlooked in the rush to complete these developments.
The following article explores the growing issue of affordable housing construction injuries in NYC in 2025, including the most common hazards, how New York’s labor laws protect workers, and what injured laborers should do to protect their rights.
Political Pressure and Dangerous Deadlines
Developers are being given incentives to complete projects quickly in order to keep up with the housing demand and meet newly adopted goals from the 2025 “City of Yes” initiative. In some cases, city contracts require units to be delivered in compressed timelines.
But increased speed often comes with a trade-off in safety. Rushed schedules and budget restrictions lead some developers to cut corners. In fact, site supervisors have reported that city inspectors are stretched thin, especially for low-income housing projects funded through public-private partnerships. Without regular inspections, OSHA and local safety rules are more likely to be ignored.
Common Safety Failures on Affordable Housing Construction Sites
Two recurring themes on affordable housing job sites in NYC this year are inadequate planning and insufficient enforcement. These failures frequently result in:
- Missing or defective fall protection systems, especially on multi-story scaffolds
- Overloaded or poorly maintained temporary hoists and lifts
- Exposed wiring and electrical hazards near active work zones
- Tools and debris left in walkways, increasing slip-and-fall risks
- Laborers being asked to perform dangerous tasks without training or supervision
- Sites that lack proper signage, lighting, or secure perimeters
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported that fall-related violations were the number one safety issue on construction sites in 2023. These risks disproportionately affect workers on lower-budget projects, where cheaper subcontractors may not have the resources or incentive to maintain safety standards.
Why Construction Workers Are Especially Vulnerable in 2025
In many affordable housing projects, multiple subcontractors share responsibility for different phases of construction. This fragmentation often leads to confusion about who is accountable for ensuring safety. Developers, eager to reduce costs, may hire the lowest bidder, regardless of that contractor’s safety record.
In addition, workers on these projects are often non-union, which can reduce access to safety training or organized protections. Moreover, some are day laborers or undocumented workers who may be reluctant to report hazards or injuries for fear of losing work or facing retaliation.
What to Do After a Construction Injury in NYC
If you’ve been injured while working on a construction site, particularly one tied to NYC’s affordable housing boom, your priority should be your safety and your health. However, how you respond in the hours and days following the incident can also impact your ability to receive full compensation.
- Report the injury to your site supervisor immediately and request a written accident report.
- Seek prompt medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries.
- Take photos of the scene, including the equipment involved and any injuries you sustained (if you are able).
- Record the names and contact info of any witnesses.
- Refrain from giving statements to insurance adjusters without speaking to an attorney first.
- Call a qualified New York construction accident law firm like Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP for legal guidance.
Your employer might offer workers’ compensation, but if your injury was caused by unsafe site conditions, you may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim under New York Labor Law, which often results in significantly higher compensation.
Understanding New York’s Labor Law Protections
Unlike many other states, New York offers construction workers strong legal protections that hold property owners and contractors directly liable for unsafe working conditions.
Here’s a breakdown of key statutes that may apply to your injury:
- Labor Law § 240 (“Scaffold Law”) protects workers injured in falls or by falling objects due to inadequate safety equipment.
- Labor Law § 241(6) applies when safety violations occur during construction, excavation, or demolition work, especially those tied to specific Industrial Code violations.
- Labor Law § 200 requires job sites to be maintained in a reasonably safe condition.
Together, these laws allow injured workers to pursue claims for pain and suffering, lost income, medical costs, and future rehabilitation, not just the limited benefits of workers’ comp.
WRSMH Is Holding Developers and Contractors Accountable
At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, we represent workers from all trades—electricians, bricklayers, ironworkers, laborers, and beyond. Our attorneys have secured over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements, including many for workers injured on public and private job sites.
We understand how the affordable housing construction boom has created new challenges and new risks for NYC’s workforce. We work with leading construction site experts, accident investigators, and medical professionals to prove site violations and pursue full compensation. Our legal team also prepares every case as if it will go to trial—and many do—which is part of why we’ve been consistently recognized as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report.
Whether you were on scaffolding five stories up or operating a lift at street level, your safety matters. If you were injured because others failed to protect you, we’re ready to help.
Don’t Let the Housing Boom Leave You Behind
There’s no denying that New York needs affordable housing, but not at the expense of the very people building it. If you or someone you love suffered injuries on a construction site linked to NYC’s affordable housing projects, you don’t have to face your injuries alone.
We’ll help you understand your rights, gather critical evidence, and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Call Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP at (212) 986-7353 today for a free consultation.