By Jimmie Lee Jarvis
High utility bills are forcing Virginians to choose between essentials like groceries and medication and keeping their home at a safe temperature during hot summers and cold winters. Low-income families, renters, and residents of manufactured homes are the most vulnerable to high energy costs.
A household’s “energy burden” is the percentage of income spent on utility bills. In the US, an energy burden higher than 6% is considered unaffordable. Virginia has the 11th highest average residential electricity bills in the continental U.S. Over 75% of Virginia households have an energy burden higher than the 6% affordability threshold.
Households earning <80% Area Median Income often struggle to choose between paying utility bills and essentials like groceries, medication, and gas to get them to work. Low-income households pay over 25% more in energy costs per square foot, and low-income communities with a high energy burden often have higher eviction rates than less-burdened areas, reflecting the tension between energy costs and rent.
Nearly 60% of low-income households are renter-occupied, meaning that they cannot benefit from efficiency improvements unless landlords are willing to front the costs. Because rental units are generally older, smaller, and less efficient, renters spend over 30% more per square foot on energy than homeowners. Residents of manufactured homes have an energy burden that is, on average, over 80% higher than that of site-built homes.
High energy cost burdens for low-income families in Virginia have far-reaching impacts that extend beyond the affected households. When a significant portion of income is spent on energy bills, these families often face difficult choices between heating their homes and other essential needs like food, healthcare, and rent. This financial strain can lead to increased demand for public assistance programs, which in turn places a greater burden on state resources and taxpayers. Additionally, high energy costs can contribute to health issues, as families may resort to unsafe heating methods or endure extreme temperatures. The broader community also feels the effects through higher healthcare costs and reduced economic productivity.
Addressing energy cost burdens not only improves the quality of life for low-income families but also promotes a healthier, more economically stable Virginia for everyone. Contact your representatives today and urge them to prioritize relieving the energy burden Virginians are struggling under. Make your voice heard!
