St. Johns County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida, drawing new residents with its beautiful coastline, strong job market, and high quality of life. But rapid growth has brought a quieter consequence: housing costs have risen faster than wages, leaving many of the people who power our local economy struggling to find a home they can afford.

Teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, hospitality staff, and other essential members of our workforce increasingly face a difficult choice. Live far from where they work and endure long, costly commutes, or remain in housing that consumes an unsustainable share of their income. This challenge does not stop at individual households. It affects workforce retention, local businesses, public services, and the long-term stability of our community.

To understand the scale of the issue, it helps to clarify how housing is defined in today’s market:

• Market Rate Housing refers to homes priced entirely by market demand, without subsidies or restrictions. In St. Johns County, where the median home price has climbed to $546,635, market-rate housing is simply out of reach for many working families.
• Affordable Housing is typically defined as housing that costs no more than 30% of a household’s income and is aimed at those earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). In St. Johns County, the AMI is $86,500. These programs often depend on government subsidies or nonprofit development.
• Workforce Housing serves households earning roughly 80% to 120% of AMI. This includes teachers, police officers, nurses, and service industry professionals. While these workers earn steady incomes, they often do not qualify for traditional affordable housing programs and still cannot afford market-rate homes.
• Attainable Housing is a broader term that includes affordable and workforce housing, extending up to about 140% of AMI. Its goal is simple but critical: ensuring that people across a wide range of incomes can live near their jobs without sacrificing financial stability.

This is where the “missing middle” emerges. These are hardworking individuals and families who earn too much to qualify for assistance but too little to compete in today’s housing market. They are the backbone of St. Johns County, yet many are being priced out of the very community they serve.

At Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County, we believe homeownership should be attainable for the people who keep our county running. We are growing to meet this urgent need. This year, Habitat St. Johns will build 20 new homes, our largest annual build goal to date. Each home represents more than shelter. It represents stability, dignity, and an affordable mortgage that allows families to build equity and plan for the future.

By expanding our construction capacity, strengthening partnerships with local organizations, and advocating for workforce and attainable housing solutions, Habitat St. Johns is addressing the housing gap where it is most acute. We serve families and individuals who live and or work in St. Johns County, including those in the missing middle who are too often overlooked.

Here is a link to a our Homeownership Qualification Information and a PDF.

If you believe you may qualify or have questions, please visit our Application webpage to learn more about homeownership, or contact us directly with questions. We also invite you to tour our model home, volunteer on a build site, donate, or help spread the word.

Together, we can ensure that the people who teach our children, care for our neighbors, protect our communities, and support our local economy can afford to call St. Johns County home.

Together, we build a better St. Johns County.