Habitat Homes in St. Augustine for $248,000 and $278,000: 4 Were Unoccupied in Volusia Woods, the 640 Credit Score Rule and How to Apply

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County is seeking buyers for four remaining unoccupied homes in its 36-home Volusia Woods development near St. Augustine's West King district, according to an Oct. 23 Jacksonville Today report. Habitat's official homeownership page lists two-bedroom, one-bathroom homes for $248,000 and three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes for $278,000, with down payment and closing cost assistance available. Applicants must meet requirements that include a credit score of at least 640, a debt-to-income ratio of 45% or lower and household income within the program's limits.

The four unoccupied homes were reported by Jacksonville Today on Oct. 23, and the report said Habitat leaders hoped to fill them by the holidays. The reported availability reflects that publication date rather than a newly confirmed count for November. Habitat provides its application requirements, home prices and contact information through its official homeownership page, and readers should call to confirm whether any of the homes are still available.

1. What homes are available in Volusia Woods?

Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County lists two home configurations on its official homeownership page. A two-bedroom, one-bathroom home is priced at $248,000, while a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is priced at $278,000. Both are listed through Habitat's homeownership program, which also describes financial assistance for eligible applicants.

Jacksonville Today reported that Volusia Woods is a 36-home development in St. Augustine near the West King district. Four homes were unoccupied when the outlet published its Oct. 23 report. That means 32 of the 36 homes were occupied at the time, based on the figures provided in the report.

The four unoccupied homes represented approximately 11% of the development's total housing units. Jacksonville Today reported that Habitat leaders hoped to find homeowners for those remaining properties. The report did not establish that all four would still be available on any later application date.

2. How do the prices compare with St. Johns County?

The Volusia Woods homes are priced below the county's reported median home price, according to Jacksonville Today. The outlet reported that St. Johns County's median home price was more than $500,000. Habitat's listed prices of $248,000 and $278,000 are both below that reported benchmark.

The three-bedroom home priced at $278,000 is more than $222,000 below a county median exceeding $500,000. The two-bedroom home priced at $248,000 is more than $252,000 below that same benchmark. These comparisons use the home prices published by Habitat and the county median described by Jacksonville Today.

Jacksonville Today also reported that the first home in Volusia Woods sold in September of the previous year. The development contains 36 homes in total, according to the outlet. Habitat's current homeownership information provides the two listed prices and explains that down payment and closing cost assistance is available.

3. What credit score and debt limits must applicants meet?

Applicants must have a credit score of 640 or higher, according to Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County's official homeownership requirements. The organization also sets a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 45%. Both requirements are included among the qualifications Habitat publishes for prospective homeowners.

Habitat also requires applicants to demonstrate stable monthly income for at least one year. Household income must fall within the program's established limits for the applicant's household size. Meeting the credit score requirement alone does not establish eligibility because Habitat lists several other qualifications.

The organization requires applicants to consent to credit, criminal and sex offender background checks. These checks are part of the homeownership qualification process described on Habitat's website. Applicants are also expected to satisfy the program's other income, housing and participation requirements.

4. What are the income limits for a family of four?

A family of four must have gross household income of at least $54,350 and no more than $130,440, according to Jacksonville Today's Oct. 23 report. The figures provide an example of the income range associated with Habitat's homeownership program. They apply specifically to a four-person household rather than every household size.

The difference between those two figures is $76,090. Applicants must still meet Habitat's other qualifications, including the minimum 640 credit score, maximum 45% debt-to-income ratio and stable monthly income requirement. The income range therefore represents one part of the organization's broader eligibility standards.

Habitat's official homeownership page states that gross household income must fall within limits determined by household size. Applicants with household sizes other than four must use the applicable limits rather than the four-person example. The organization's homeownership materials provide the qualification information for reviewing eligibility.

5. Who is eligible to apply for a Habitat home?

Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County requires applicants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, according to its official homeownership page. Applicants must not currently own a home and must demonstrate a need for housing. These qualifications are listed alongside the organization's financial and participation requirements.

Applicants must also have stable monthly income for at least one year and meet the credit score and debt-to-income standards. Habitat requires applicants to agree to the background checks described in its eligibility materials. Household income must fall within the applicable range based on household size.

Another requirement is a willingness to contribute sweat equity hours. Habitat identifies this commitment as part of the homeownership process on its website. The requirement is separate from the credit, income and current homeownership qualifications.

The organization's published requirements provide a way to evaluate eligibility before beginning an application. They include both financial standards and conditions relating to participation in the program. Habitat's official homeownership page is the source for the complete qualifications described here.

6. How do applicants begin the homeownership process?

Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County outlines a three-step application process on its official website. The first step is to review the organization's one-page qualifications document. The second step is to complete the Homeowner Interest Intake Form, followed by submission of the application.

The qualifications document provides the starting point for understanding the program's requirements. The intake form is the next step identified in Habitat's published process. Applicants then proceed to the application submission step described on the homeownership page.

The official application information is available at https://habitatstjohns.org/homeownership/. The page also lists the two-bedroom and three-bedroom home prices and describes available financial assistance. Applicants can use the same page to review the requirements for credit, income, debt and participation.

Habitat identifies household income limits as one of the application conditions. The organization also requires consent to its listed background checks and a willingness to contribute sweat equity. Those conditions are part of the process for applicants seeking a home through the program.

7. What financial assistance is available?

Habitat's official homeownership page states that down payment and closing cost assistance is available. Jacksonville Today also reported that additional assistance was being offered to help fill the remaining unoccupied homes at Volusia Woods. The reports identify assistance associated with the homeownership program without establishing a specific award for every applicant.

The development has also received public funding, according to Jacksonville Today. St. Johns County allocated approximately $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to the project. The county also provided $264,000 through its Affordable Housing Grant Program.

Those funding amounts describe county support for the Volusia Woods development, rather than individual homeowner assistance amounts. The down payment and closing cost assistance described by Habitat is a separate element of its homeownership information. Jacksonville Today's report also identified additional assistance associated with efforts to fill the remaining homes.

8. Where can applicants see a home or contact Habitat?

Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County lists a model home at 890 Helen Street in St. Augustine, according to its official homeownership page. Visits to the model home are available by appointment. The organization also provides direct contact information for people seeking homeownership details.

Candice Marhanka is listed as a contact at 904-826-3252, extension 2005. The published email address is [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Habitat also lists its main telephone number as 904-826-3252.

The organization's office is located at 7 Hopkins Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084. Its published office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The homeownership page at https://habitatstjohns.org/homeownership/ provides application materials, eligibility requirements and information about the listed homes.

The Volusia Woods development contains 36 homes, with four reported unoccupied as of Jacksonville Today's Oct. 23 coverage. Habitat's homeownership page lists $248,000 for a two-bedroom, one-bathroom home and $278,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. The organization's application process begins with reviewing the qualifications document and completing the Homeowner Interest Intake Form before submitting an application.