For years, Pronoy John Costa lived in rented accommodation in Dhaka, moving from one place to another. Like many young professionals in Bangladesh’s fast-growing capital, homeownership felt distant. That changed when he joined The Metropolitan Christian Co‑operative Housing Society Ltd., a faith-rooted housing initiative that has helped thousands of Christian families secure a permanent address.
“I used to live in a rented house in Dhaka city,” Costa recalled. “I bought a flat from the housing society by taking a loan. I have benefited a lot… since the housing society has skilled workers and officials, there is no problem in acquiring land or a flat. I am grateful to those who established it.”
Ronald Andrwos, a senior member, remembers arriving in Dhaka from his village in search of a better life. Like countless migrants, he began by renting a small space in the crowded city. “When I came to know that flats could be bought in installments from the housing society, I took membership,” he said. “In this way, I became the owner of a flat myself.”
Today, his sense of security extends beyond his own generation. “Recently, my son also bought another flat,” he added. “Buying a flat has solved my housing problem in Dhaka. I have a permanent address now—and this has been possible because of the housing society.”
Their experiences reflect a broader social reality in Bangladesh, where rapid urbanization has intensified the struggle for affordable housing. For minority communities, including Christians who often face economic and social marginalization, access to secure housing can be even more difficult. In this context, cooperative initiatives rooted in community solidarity have become a vital lifeline.
Hundreds of families like Costas and Andrwos have been able to purchase flats through small, manageable installments, transforming their economic prospects and sense of belonging in the city.
The vision behind this effort was reaffirmed during the society’s 38th annual general meeting in Dhaka, where chairman Pratap Agustin Gomes highlighted its enduring mission. “This housing society was established with the aim of solving the housing problems of the Christian community in the capital city of Dhaka,” he said. “Our motto is: ‘We are committed to solving the housing problem.’”
As the organization approaches its 50th anniversary, Gomes paid tribute to the late Archbishop Michael Rosario of Dhaka, whose support was instrumental in its formation. The society, he noted, has grown significantly in scale and reach.
Today, it manages 85 plot projects covering more than 1,100 bighas of land and offers nearly 4,900 plots. Over 200 apartment projects are underway, with more than 2,100 flats planned. Hundreds of families are already living in allocated flats, while others are in the process of completing registration and construction.
Beyond housing, the cooperative has expanded its scope to include savings programs and social support mechanisms. It currently counts more than 22,000 regular members and over 41,000 savings members, reflecting its wide community base.
Gomes emphasized that the society’s mission extends beyond real estate. “Although this is a practical organization to solve housing problems, we are also committed to social and pastoral responsibilities,” he said.
An interest-free loan scheme supports economically vulnerable women, including widows, helping them pursue self-employment and financial independence. The society also contributes regularly to Church life—providing funds for priestly ordinations, episcopal events, religious festivals, and the construction and repair of churches. It also responds to natural disasters, reflecting the Church’s call to serve the most vulnerable.
In the past fiscal year alone, the organization provided financial assistance worth nearly 3.8 million taka for social and religious initiatives, according to its leadership.
Founded on April 14, 1977, by 27 members with strong backing from Archbishop Michael Rozario, the cooperative emerged during a period of significant urban migration, when many Christian families struggled to find affordable homes in Dhaka. From its beginnings at Holy Rosary Church in Tejgaon, it has evolved into a major cooperative body, implementing multiple housing projects and supporting members in acquiring land and building homes.
Local Church leaders and lay members see the initiative as a tangible expression of faith in action—where community, trust, and shared responsibility respond to pressing social needs.
As Bangladesh’s cities continue to grow, the challenge of housing remains acute. For members of this cooperative, however, the promise of a secure home has become a lived reality—offering not only shelter, but also dignity, stability, and a sense of belonging rooted in faith.
