Housing & Community Development

Overview

The Housing & Community Development Division is responsible for the promotion, development, preservation and administration of affordable housing programs, initiatives and policies in St. Johns County. These programs are designed for both single family, multifamily households and developers. Housing & Community Development also assists with related community development issues such as utilities, roads and zoning.

Announcements

2024-2025 Annual Action Plan Community Development Block Grant

2024-2025 Annual Action Plan – Public Notice is being provided that St. Johns County has prepared a 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. St. Johns County receives CDBG funds as an Entitlement Community for the benefit of low- and moderate-income residents. St. Johns County may use CDBG funds within the unincorporated areas of the County and within the city limits of St. Augustine Beach. The development and approval of the Annual Action Plan are requirements of receiving CDBG funds. 

2024-2025 Community Development Block Grant Notice of Funds Availability

We are pleased to inform you that St. Johns County has initiated planning for the Program Year (PY) 2024-2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. As part of this process, we anticipate receiving an allocation of federal CDBG funds for the upcoming program year, which is scheduled to commence on October 1, 2024.

 Here are the key details:

Allocation Amount: In the previous Program Year (PY 2023-2024), our allocation amounted to $1,121,735. We expect a similar award for the upcoming PY 2024-2025.

Available Funding: Approximately $500,000 will be available to assist other grantees with their programs and projects.  St. Johns County has already allocated $621,735 in CDBG funding for the Hastings Library and Community Center.

Announcement Timeline: We aim to publicly announce the actual allocation amounts before our first scheduled hearing.

Application Process: Interested parties seeking funding must submit five (5) copies of their application package to the St. Johns County Housing and Community Development (HCD) Offices no later than 4:00 p.m., Friday, April 26, 2024.

Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact | Notice of Intent To Request Release of Funds

In an effort to address housing needs in St. Johns County, FL $40,000 in CDBG funding will be used for the purpose of providing home rehabilitation to a low to the moderate-income homeowner in need of assistance in order to remain living safely and independently in the home.

Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)

Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)  On an annual basis, St. Johns County must demonstrate how activities implemented with CDBG funds address Strategic Plan objectives and priorities identified in the Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) includes a summary of programmatic accomplishments and an assessment of progress toward meeting the priority needs and specific objectives identified in the County’s Consolidated Plan.

2023-2024 Annual Action Plan

2023-2024 Annual Action Plan – Public Notice is being provided that St. Johns County has prepared a 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. St. Johns County receives CDBG funds as an Entitlement Community for the benefit of low- and moderate-income residents. St. Johns County may use CDBG funds within the unincorporated areas of the County and within the city limits of St. Augustine Beach. The development and approval of the Annual Action Plan are requirements of receiving CDBG funds. 

2021-2022 Community Redevelopment Agency Annual Report

2021-2022 St. Johns County Community Redevelopment Agency Annual Report – The St. Johns County Community Redevelopment Agency has published the 2022 CRA Annual Report for West Augustine, Flagler Estates, and Vilano Beach.

Live Local Act

A comprehensive, statewide workforce housing strategy, designed to increase the availability of affordable housing opportunities for Florida’s workforce, who desire to live within the communities they serve.

Housing & Community Development Divisions & Information

house balanced in a seesaw with bag of money
Affordable Housing

Everyone deserves affordable housing. However, as the cost of housing rises, many of us are forced to pay more than we can really afford. People you rely on — teachers, bank tellers, police officers, firefighters, nurses, waiters, and even many young professionals — may need assistance with housing. Various resources are available to those who wish to live in St Johns County.

Affordable Housing
Happy married couple talking with financial advisor on a meeting in the office
Housing and Financial Counseling Program

The St. Johns County Housing and Financial Counseling Program is designed to help you overcome the potential obstacles first-time homebuyers encounter and connect you with resources that will help turn your dream of owning your own home into a reality.

Housing and Financial Counseling Program
aerial view of a neighborhood with bad roads
Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. The CDBG entitlement program allocates annual grants to larger cities and urban counties to develop viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and opportunities to expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.

Community Development Block Grant
Wooden house blocks
State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)

Florida Housing administers the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program (SHIP), which provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing. The program was designed to serve very low, low and moderate income families.

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)
House model on wood table. Real estate agent offer house, property insurance and security, affordable housing concepts
Housing Finance Authority

The Housing Finance Authority of St. Johns County issues tax-exempt and taxable bonds for affordable multifamily housing and single family mortgages.

Housing Finance Authority
house being repaired
Community Redevelopment

The St. Johns County Community Redevelopment Agency was established to promote, coordinate and fund a variety of residential and commercial redevelopment efforts in three community redevelopment areas.

Community Redevelopment Areas & Agency
Rehabilitation Program

The Rehabilitation Program is intended to alleviate immediate and potential housing problems, thus preventing further damage to the structure while allowing the occupants to continue residing in their homes. Code, safety and health issues are paramount.

Contact
P: (904) 827-6892
E: kvankirk@sjcfl.us

Down Payment Assistance

Looking for a home in St. Johns County?
Need help with down payment and closing costs? Residents meeting specific criteria may qualify for this program to assist with home ownership.

 

Down Payment Assistance

Contacts

Julie Voorhees Housing Program Specialist

Greg Buhr Housing Grant Construction Inspector

Jenny Harvey Housing and Community Development Manager

Marie Guilfoyle Housing Program Specialist CDBG

Kelsey Vankirk Housing Program Specialist

Dirk Winston Housing Program Specialist

Michelle Myers Housing Program Specialist

Sharon Whitcraft HUD Certified Housing Counselor

Boards

Resources