With the increasing incidence of natural calamities and civil wars, one of the vital concerns for architects and planners is the effort to establish a logical and immediate response to emergency shelters. As a rapid response during the initial emergency, the government or humanitarian organizations provide the materials and aid for shelter seekers, and displaced people use shelter kits to build houses independently. Therefore, in different circumstances, such community-led housing initiatives are widely studied topics in developing and developed countries. In the past, the role of architects for aided and humanitarian architecture was more focused on operational and technical concerns rather than design thinking. Strategic spatial problem-solving and architecture-driven approaches for long-term recovery in devastated communities were missing at that time. The necessity of architects addressing self-help housing challenges following a disaster or war has thus become an evolving issue. Architects’ efforts in self-help housing allow refugees and people affected by natural disasters to build houses. However, with additional consideration of design ideas for emergency housing, their contribution can rebuild the local culture, environment, and economy of damaged communities and ensure they are longer-lasting and better performing. This chapter outlines the concept of self-help housing, its various types (independent, organized, employed), and its benefits, including financial savings and empowerment of residents. It also delves into the history of self-help housing, its evolution, and its use in refugee housing since the 1920s. The potential of self-help housing as a mid-term solution for refugees is discussed, emphasizing the role of organizations like UNHCR. Guidelines for designing and constructing self-help shelters are provided, including structure type selection, construction material choice, and specialized work processes. The chapter highlights the importance of construction training and quality assurance, along with a case study showcasing the Liina transitional shelter, a sustainable and adaptable self-help housing solution. Overall, this chapter underscores the significance of self-help housing in addressing the urgent need for refugee shelters while promoting self-sufficiency and community rebuilding.