The Village of New Augustine, a 92-unit affordable housing development, is preparing to welcome its first residents. | News4Jax
Published on June 18, 2026 at 5:11 pm
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Finding affordable apartments in St. Johns County has become increasingly difficult for many working families, but a new community in West Augustine is providing dozens of income-restricted units aimed at helping residents remain in the community.
The Village of New Augustine, a 92-unit affordable housing development, is preparing to welcome its first residents. The project is a partnership between the West Augustine Historical Community Development Corporation and Ability Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing developer.
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The development is one of the first large-scale affordable apartment communities in the St. Augustine area and is designed for residents earning 60% of the area median income or less. For a single person, that’s roughly $43,000 annually.
For lifelong St. Augustine resident Khrissy Axen, the opportunity comes after years of searching for a place she could afford.
“A very big challenge for the past five years,” Axen said. “I had been looking and couldn’t find anything that was affordable, but this is a great opportunity and I’m thankful for it.”
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Axen and her two daughters recently signed paperwork for one of the community’s apartments and said they are excited to finally have a place of their own.
RELATED: How can St. Johns County create more affordable housing?
Ability Housing CEO Reggie Fullwood said the goal is to create affordable housing that residents can take pride in.
“You’ll see very nice countertops. You’ll see upgraded appliances, flooring,” Fullwood said. “Our goal is to provide affordable housing that people again feel proud of.”
The community includes one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Rents start at approximately $634 per month for a one-bedroom unit and increase to about $1,600 for a three-bedroom apartment, depending on household income and eligibility requirements.
Fullwood said the development is intended to serve a range of residents, including working individuals and families who have struggled to find affordable options in one of Florida’s fastest-growing counties.
“A young professional who’s making probably $40,000 to $50,000 and can afford to live here, and then families can live here,” Fullwood said. “So it really depends on your income.”
Local leaders said the project was driven by a longstanding community need.
Robert Nimmons, chairman of the West Augustine Community Redevelopment Area, said the area lacked affordable apartment options despite years of growth and development.
“Over the past 20, 30 years, we never had an apartment complex here that was affordable,” Nimmons said.
The West Augustine CRA helped bring infrastructure to the site and supported efforts to develop housing options for local residents, leaders said.
Katrina Mayers, chair of affordable housing for the West Augustine CRA, said rising rents have made affordable housing a growing concern throughout St. Johns County.
“There are a lot of people who need affordable housing,” Mayers said. “St. Johns County, definitely the rent, affordable housing has been an issue for a lot of the residents here.”
Fullwood said the development addresses a critical need in a county where housing costs have continued to rise.
“If you look around Florida, affordable housing is a problem, but St. Johns County in particular is one of the richest counties in our state,” Fullwood said. “A lot of times you have the haves and have-nots. Having housing for workforce folks who really don’t have a lot of options is really important.”
According to 2025 income limits from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, qualifying household income ranges from $43,080 annually for a one-person household to $71,340 for a six-person household.
For Axen, the development represents more than just an apartment.
“I’m just glad that I have this opportunity and they brought something to St. Johns County, not just to help my family, but those that are in need,” she said.
To learn more about eligibility requirements or to speak with a leasing agent, applicants are encouraged to complete an online interest form.
This story was produced by News4Jax, a Jacksonville Today news partner.
