This paper examines worldwide housing problems. The rising prices of materials, energy, and land ensure that buying, building, and maintaining even the most elementary shelter today costs several times what it did a decade ago. People in industrial countries must spend an even larger share of their income if they want to buy a home. Those who…

The booklet maintains that the key to meeting basic human needs is the participation of individuals and communities in local problem solving. Some of the most important achievements in providing food, upgrading housing, improving human health, and tapping new energy sources, comes through local self-help projects. Proponents of local efforts at…