Interfaith Housing Coalition

Just west of the Capitol on the Lincoln Mall, is a place that many Lincolnites call home - a safe place for some who have not always felt safe - an affordable place for some who do not have much to pay.

The historic Ambassador and President apartments have provided low-income persons - many with special needs – with a safe, affordable home in the 84 studio and one-bedroom apartments – for more than 20 years! 

The non-profit Interfaith Housing Coalition (IHC) oversees the development and operations of the project. The IHC has no paid staff, but relies on its volunteer board members and a growing circle of caring and compassionate Lincolnites that contribute their time, talents, and resources to ensure that the project continues to serve those in need.

Because of the unique public-private partnership, the rents remain low and affordable for someone living on a limited income such as Social Security or Social Security Disability Income. Tenants receive help accessing needed services and assistance such as food, wellness services from the part-time Tenant Services Coordinator. Throughout the years generous funding to provide supportive services, replace aging boilers, and provide an exercise room for tenants from the Lincoln Foundation, Community Health Endowment, and the Woods Charitable Fund.

Now, IHC is asking your help to assure that these historic buildings can remain as affordable housing for the next 20 years. A $10 donation can help IHC raise needed funds to conduct a Capital Needs Assessment and an appraisal of the buildings so that the Board can move forward in development another public-private partnership to renovate and rehabilitate the buildings.

A 1989 City of Lincoln study of housing in downtown Lincoln identified the Ambassador and President Apartments as major candidates for redevelopment as affordable housing.

City staff approached Charles Stephen, minister of the Unitarian Church of Lincoln at the time, about forming a non-profit organization for this purpose.  He in turn, contacted Otis Young, the pastor at First Plymouth Congregational, who contacted Rex Bevins from St. Paul United Methodist Church. 

The three churches formed the Interfaith Housing Coalition, Inc. in 1991 for the sole purpose of acquiring the Ambassador and President Apartments and converting them to low-income housing.  IHC purchased the buildings later in the year. 

A Nebraska limited partnership, AP Limited, was formed in order to use the both the federal historic tax credits and low-income housing tax credits to redevelop the buildings as 84 units of affordable housing.   IHC served as the general partner in the limited partnership.  

 Woodmen Accident and Life Company (now Assurity Life Insurance Company) was the partnership’s only limited partner.  In addition to the equity contributed by Woodmen to the project, the renovation was financed with a first mortgage and loans from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka and the City of Lincoln.  

The buildings have continued to operate as low-income housing for the past 18 years.  In January, 2011, Assurity’s ownership interests in the project were purchased by IHC. 

To continue as an affordable housing project the IHC needs to again bring together a strong coalition of private and public partners that can garner the resources to renew and redevelop the units.

This project serves an important historic reminder of Lincoln’s beginnings and more importantly evidence of the compassion and support of Lincolnites for each other.

The IHC board thanks you for your support and welcomes your help as we use part of Lincoln’s past to provide a future of some special Lincolnites.