Managers of affordable housing properties spend a good deal of their time verifying and calculating income. All managers are aware that most workers must be paid a minimum wage (some workers are exempt from the requirement). While the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, many states and localities have higher minimums. 19 states and 21 local jurisdictions raised those minimums as of January 1, and some increases are dramatic. For example, Arizona raised its minimum wage from $8.05 to $10 per hour. Maine went from $7.50 to $9.00 and both Washington State and Massachusetts raised the minimum to $11 and hour.
Six states plus D.C now have minimum wages in excess of $10 per hour.
Some localities have set the bar even higher. Several California cities have minimum wages of $12 or more and Seattle requires some employers to pay $15 per hour.
As we enter the new year, managers of affordable housing should make sure they know what the minimum wage is for their state and locality and apply this to all working applicants who are not exempt from minimum wage laws.