Cooperative Housing International (CHI) is proud to highlight the impactful work of Christian Bengtzelius, CHI board member and Head of Owner Relations and International Affairs at Riksbyggen, a leading cooperative housing organization in Sweden.

In a recent interview with the International Labour Organization (ILO), Christian shared valuable insights into the role of cooperative housing in addressing Sweden’s housing challenges. At Riksbyggen, Christian is dedicated to fostering strong relationships with members while advancing the cooperative model as a sustainable solution for housing affordability and community resilience.

During the ILO interview, Christian emphasized the unique strengths of housing cooperatives in creating stable and inclusive communities. He highlighted how cooperatives contribute to achieving Sweden’s climate goals by promoting housing that is not only affordable but also environmentally and socially sustainable.

Sweden, like many countries, faces pressing housing challenges, including increasing urbanization, affordability issues, and a need for more sustainable housing options. Christian emphasizes that cooperative housing offers a powerful model for addressing these challenges, providing long-term, stable housing solutions that empower residents and promote community-driven development. By integrating environmental sustainability into housing projects, cooperatives in Sweden are leading the way in combating climate change while addressing the housing crisis.

As a CHI board member, Christian brings his expertise in cooperative development to the international stage, working to amplify the contributions of housing cooperatives and advocating for supportive policies worldwide. His leadership is an asset to CHI’s mission of showcasing the value of cooperative housing in building better communities.

To learn more about Christian’s work and his vision for the future of cooperative housing, read the full interview with the ILO here.