The Ecumenical Housing Development Group (EHDG) was formed in May 1994 as a not-for-profit collaborative association of banking corporations, religious institutions and social service agencies working together to provide low-income families and individuals with permanent, affordable rental housing. 

    In 1995 EHDG assembled property for a 17 unit town house tax credit project located primarily in an area between Sixth and Eighth Streets and Marquette and Vine Streets in Davenport. This neighborhood had one of the highest crime rates in the city and was littered with abandoned and dilapidated houses and vacant weed-choked lots.

    By 1998 the town houses were constructed and rented to individuals served by Vera French Housing, John Lewis Coffee Shop and the Humility of Mary Shelter. EHDG also  purchased and demolished dilapidated housing next to the project to create more open space and pocket parks. Fencing, landscaping and lighting were added to enhance the neighborhood. EHDG worked with the city to designate the area a targeted neighborhood to obtain funds to rebuild streets, sidewalks and curbs. Property was provided to the Humility of Mary Sisters for a convent and to Vera French Housing for new home construction.

    Concurrent with the town house project, EHDG acquired and renovated three additional multi-family properties in the neighborhood. One of those building presently serves as transitional housing for women served by the Humility of Mary Housing.

    EHDG partnered with Newbury Development Company of Des Moines to construct through tax credits a $3 million elderly housing project located on Tech Drive in Bettendorf. The project was completed and filled with residents in December 1999.

    In 1998 EHDG initiated its Welcome Home Program to construct single family in-fill housing in the neighborhood. Two years later EHDG moved four houses scheduled for demolition from the Putnam Museum site to the neighborhood, renovated the homes and offered them for sale to qualified buyers.

    In 2003 EHDG purchased the Trinity School building at Seventh and Vine to develop 8 apartments and a site for a Head Start program run by Iowa Community Action Agency. Prior to the purchase, the building was owned by absentee landlords and used as a street gang headquarters. Over 140 police calls were made from the building in one year alone. Since EHDG began work in its targeted neighborhood ten years ago crime has declined by 33% with drug arrests plummeting 71%. Assessed property valuation has risen 32% compared to a city wide average of 28%. 

    EHDG, in partnership with Newberry Living of West Des Moines, received tax credits and conventional loans in 2004 to construct 36 units of low and moderate income housing on property near the Welcome Center off Interstate 80 on the outskirts of Le Claire, Iowa.

    In 2009, EHDG completed a $9.1 million dollar renovation of 112 units at Horizon Home and construction of a community service center. This housing was renamed Fairmont Pines. The Iowa Community Action Agency placed a preschool program in the community service center. A GED program has also begun. The Scott County YMCA provides a community services coordinator for the site. Both the Scott County YMCA and the Davenport Library System work with EHDG to provide services for the more than two youth under the age of 17 who live at Fairmont Pines.

    Following completion of the renovation project, EHDG began to purchase over time (2010-2015) duplex housing located on a street located adjacent to Fairmont Pines. The duplexes were owned by various non-resident proprietors who rented to tenants who caused criminal problems in the neighborhood and for Fairmont Pines residents. Upon purchase the duplex property will be renovated to individuals and families screened by Newbury Living. The problem of criminal activity has now been eliminated.

    Organizations who have participated on the board include: Community Health Care, Handicap Development Center, Family Resources, Vera French Housing. Triumph Bank, US Bank, Quad City Bank and Trust, Well Fargo Bank, Agency on Aging, Humility of Mary Shelter, Project Renewal, Iowa Lutheran Coalition, American Bank, Iowa Community Action Agency, Redeemer Lutheran Church, First Midwest Bank. EHDG participates in the Scott County Housing Council and contracts for property management with Newberry Living.