Chicago Construction News staff writer
A new affordable housing development on Chicago’s Northwest Side is set to provide 45 high-quality homes tailored to meet the needs of the city’s Native American residents. Visionary Ventures and Full Circle Communities have partnered to bring the Jigzibik housing complex to life—transforming a vacant lot at 2909 W. Irving Park Road into a space for community, culture, and stability.
In collaboration with the Native American Advisory Council, local firm Canopy Architecture + Design worked on the design which celebrates Native culture through built form.
Named “Jigzibik,” a Potawatomi word meaning “at the river’s edge,” the project was guided by a Native American Advisory Council to reflect cultural significance and community input. Once complete, it will offer a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments—all at affordable rates. Three units will be reserved as permanent supportive housing for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
Chicago is home to the third-largest urban Native American population in the United States, representing over 100 tribes. Despite this, Native residents have long faced barriers to affordable and culturally informed housing. The Jigzibik development addresses this gap directly, offering not just housing, but access to nearby community organizations like the American Indian Center and the American Indian Health Service of Chicago.
“This is a dream come true,” said Shelly Tucciarelli, president and executive director of Visionary Ventures. “Housing has been one of the main issues that brought our Native community together. Jigzibik comes out of that legacy.”
Amenities in the new building will include green spaces, a rooftop deck, a fitness room, and commercial units. The development will also include 16 parking spaces and be located along a busy corridor between N. Richmond Street and N. Francisco Avenue.
The $6 million in funding from the City of Chicago, along with additional tax credits and housing funds, helped make the project possible. For Visionary Ventures and Full Circle Communities, Jigzibik is more than a building—it’s a step toward equity, recognition, and a future where Native families can thrive in the city they’ve long called home.
