<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1zpLUY_18ywtOvc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1zpLUY_18ywtOvc00" width="1200" height="600" >ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - One of the key pieces of legislation at the capitol this session aims at raising the state’s minimum wage. Right now, the minimum wage in Virginia is $12.77. If passed, the minimum wage in the state will rise to $15 by 2028.A lot of people in our hometowns will be impacted by the increase, but will it make a difference? WDBJ7 takes a look at how the increase could help with apartment rent.Legislators are arguing the current minimum wage isn’t enough for folks looking to rent a studio apartment.Right now, that minimum adds up to just more than $2,000 a month. The new $15 an hour wage will come out to $2,400 a month.One state senator said passing the bill will help people find a home.“The way I always look at the minimum wage is this. You should be able to afford a studio apartment if you work 40 hours a week, no matter what your job is,” said Senator Danica Roem.Sen. Roem said the current minimum wage isn’t livable for the average Virginian.So, will it make a difference in our hometowns? We looked at rent prices in Roanoke and Lynchburg.According to Apartments.com, the average cost to rent a studio apartment in Roanoke is close to $800 a month, and that’s for an average of 329 square feet. While looking through the website, the most expensive studio apartment in the Roanoke area is listed for a little over $1,500 a month.The least expensive is listed for $710 a month.In Lynchburg, the average cost to rent is a little over $900 a month for an average of 569 square feet.According to the website, the most expensive studio apartment in the Lynchburg area is listed for $995 a month. The least expensive was $790 a month.So even at the current minimum wage, you can find a place, however Sen. Roem argues the raise will help people live more comfortably.“We are trying to do a little something more to help out people so that when you make an honest wage, you put in your 40 hours a week, you can afford housing,” she closed.Critics argue the cost of increasing the state minimum wage will impact other areas, like food and transportation, making everything more expensive. The bill is expected to pass and go to the Governor. Governor Spanberger announced this week she plans to sign it into law.</div></body>

Block Source: WDBJ7.com

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ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - One of the key pieces of legislation at the capitol this session aims at raising the state’s minimum wage. Right now, the minimum wage in Virginia is $12.77. If passed, the minimum wage in the state will rise to $15 by 2028. A lot of...

Proposed minimum wage increase could impact apartment affordability

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ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - One of the key pieces of legislation at the capitol this session aims at raising the state’s minimum wage. Right now, the minimum wag

Proposed minimum wage increase could impact apartment affordability

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