Chicago City Council has approved funding for the construction of a seven-story building that will contain 45 affordable rentals.

Developers Full Circle Communities and Visionary Ventures submitted an application for the City of Chicago’s 2021 Qualified Allocation Program (QAP) round requesting loan funds, 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and Donation Tax Credits to fund a new housing development in the Irving Park Community Area.

The project—known as Jigzibik, a Potawatomi word meaning “At the River’s Edge”—will be the first urban Native American-inspired affordable housing project in Chicago. The design will pull elements from Native culture—incorporating a metaphor of the river, as well as having a serrated facade lined with east-facing balconies to orient towards the morning sun and connect to the nearby Chicago River.

Located at 2901 W. Irving Park, all units will be affordable and rent to households at 60% of the Average Median Income (AMI) and below. The proposed unit mix will include 10 studios, 15 one-bedrooms, 10 two-bedrooms, and 10 three-bedroom apartments. Three of the units will be Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) through the coordinated entry system.

The building will feature shared community areas, office space, a fitness center, a bicycle room, tenant storage areas, and an outdoor deck with garden beds. Residents will also have access to 16 surface parking spaces. Unit amenities will include dishwashers, microwaves, in-unit washers/dryers, window treatments, and luxury vinyl tile flooring.

The development will be supported by $2,114,544 in 9% LIHTC, $9,995,484 in Multi-Family funds, and $465,000 in Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credits.