This document contains 10 case studies that examine community-based efforts to improve the economies and provide jobs in public and Indian housing communities. The innovative approaches described in the studies indicate the potential of local communities to address their most serious problems. The models have several common threads: creative and determined local leadership, coordination of diverse resources, creation of new opportunities, and development of the skills needed to capitalize on these new possibilities. Case studies describe training programs, employment programs, and business opportunities. The following programs are profiled: (1) onsite job training centers offering a comprehensive array of social services in Los Angeles; (2) a 2-year apprenticeship that teaches residents in Yakima, Washington, skills in the building trades; (3) a self-employment and business management training and revolving loan fund provided by the contractor in Baltimore, Maryland; (4) self-employment and business management training conducted by the housing authority in Bismarck, North Dakota; (5) an employment program for youth coordinated by the resident association in Minneapolis; (6) training in security and self-employment leading to the housing authority contracting with a resident-owned security company in Galveston, Texas; (7) affordable child care to allow parents to work at Leech Lake Reservation, Minnesota; (8) resident organizations and private construction companies forming new jointly owned businesses in Los Angeles; (9) a revolving loan program and business training promoting resident entrepreneurship in New Orleans; and (10) a comprehensive effort to assist in developing the local economy in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Case studies include information on contacts, mission, description, community resources, program management, results, and lesson learned. (KC)