A substitute teacher and a carpenter now own a home in St. Johns County's Volusia Woods neighborhood, and their house marks a milestone for the nonprofit that built it.

Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County dedicated its 200th home Wednesday, Sept. 16, welcoming new homeowners Palmer and Scout to a house sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities.

Since 1992, Habitat St. Johns has created five affordable housing developments and built 200 homes in the county.

Rain pushed the ceremony indoors, but about 30 people attended, as first reported by the First Coast Observer. St. Johns County Commission Chair Clay Murphy, St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline and Commissioner-elect Martin Pyszczymuka attended. Murphy represents the district where the home is located.

Palmer, a substitute teacher in St. Johns County schools, and Scout, a carpenter, both grew up in families that moved frequently. Palmer came to the area from Knoxville to attend Flagler College, while Scout moved from Wyoming to work with his father. They became a couple two years ago and began looking for a permanent home, according to a Habitat St. Johns blog post.

"We did this on our own. Once we made a decision to do it, I'm proud of us for going through with it," Palmer said in a Sept. 30 Habitat St. Johns blog post.

She said the homebuying process also boosted her confidence.

"I know now I can do hard things," Palmer said.

The couple learned about Habitat through a friend who is a real estate agent and invited them to an open house. One of their new Volusia Woods neighbors is someone they already knew.

Joshua Gibson, community relations manager for Publix Super Markets, presented Palmer and Scout with a $500 Publix gift card at the dedication. The home is the third that Publix Super Markets Charities has sponsored in Volusia Woods, and the company has supported Habitat St. Johns for more than 25 years.

Habitat milestone comes as home prices outpace local wages

The 200-home milestone comes as St. Johns County continues to face a widening gap between home prices and what many local workers can afford.

A January 2026 Habitat St. Johns workforce housing report put the county's median home price at $546,635.

Habitat currently lists homes in Volusia Woods at $248,000 for a two-bedroom and $278,000 for a three-bedroom.

The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce reported that a teacher in the county earns roughly $48,000 a year, well below the income it estimated would be needed to afford a median-priced home.

As of 2023, about 25% of county residents fell into the "ALICE" category, according to the workforce housing data. ALICE stands for asset limited, income constrained, employed and describes households earning more than the federal poverty level but less than what is needed to cover basic expenses.

Habitat does not give homes away. Prospective homeowners must demonstrate an ability to pay, complete 200 hours of sweat equity building their home and others in the program and take courses covering subjects such as budgeting and home maintenance. Applicants also must have lived or worked in St. Johns County for at least one year.

More than 80% of the 200 homes Habitat St. Johns has built remain occupied by their original owners, according to the organization.

Habitat plans more homes as construction expands across county

Habitat St. Johns has grown from building four or five homes a year to approximately 20, with a goal of reaching 30 annually by 2028.

Its fifth neighborhood, Cypress Village, won unanimous approval from the St. Johns County Commission on Feb. 18, 2025. The 3.94-acre site in West Augustine at King Street Extension and North Clay Street is planned for 17 single-family homes.

Habitat says infrastructure work at Cypress Village is scheduled to begin in 2026, with home construction expected to start in early 2027.

The organization also plans King's Crossing, its largest neighborhood to date, on a 32-acre property near the Solomon Calhoun Center. Current plans call for about 75 affordable homes.

St. Johns County reported investing nearly $3 million through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program for home rehabilitation and down payment assistance. The county also offers impact fee waivers for qualifying affordable housing projects, according to a county economic report.

Residents interested in Habitat's homeownership program can apply through Habitat St. Johns or visit its office at 7 Hopkins St. in St. Augustine. Applicants must have lived or worked in St. Johns County for at least one year and complete 200 hours of sweat equity.