Producing quality housing that is also “affordable” is a critical problem for both urban and rural communities nationwide. One of the earliest approaches to creating homes and buildings was the classic country barn-raising model where neighbors got together and helped each other build a house. Entire families showed up and housing was created in a working-picnic type atmosphere. As the United States became more urban and the sense of community that fueled such cooperative ventures dissipated, other efforts to address affordable housing were developed. These have ranged from the creation of public housing, homeless shelters, a wide-variety of government sponsored grants, tax incentives, loan programs, creative financing, education programs focusing on potential homeowners and planning and land-use strategies. Governments at all levels, as well as the private sector and philanthropic organizations, have been involved in efforts to address shortages in the availability of quality affordable housing. All have had varying degrees of success. This brief manual takes us full circle and outlines a model that closely approximates the original barn-raising model in which neighbors, mobilized by their commitment and concern for others in their community, pooled their resources to create quality affordable housing while regenerating a sense of unity and community.