Collaborative trust is fundamental to successful post-conflict reintegration, yet little is known about how leadership practices facilitate trust, participation, and social cohesion among former rebels in resettlement communities. This study explored the lived experiences of former rebels to examine how leadership influences collaborative trust in government housing communities. Employing a qualitative phenomenological design, data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, and documentary analysis. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify patterns across participants' experiences. The findings revealed that collaborative trust develops through strategic and inclusive leadership that promotes safety, shared norms, participation, and mutual accountability. Effective leadership fostered interpersonal trust, strengthened residents' sense of belonging, encouraged collective decision-making, and supported identity transformation from former combatants to active community members. However, livelihood insecurity and continued dependence on government assistance constrained the sustainability of collaborative relationships. The study proposes that collaborative trust is not an automatic outcome of resettlement but a leadership-driven process shaped by institutional support, community participation, and social capital. These findings informed the development of the Structured Reintegration Model, which positions collaborative trust as a central mechanism linking strategic leadership with sustainable community reintegration. The study contributes to leadership and public management literature by demonstrating that effective post-conflict reintegration requires adaptive, collaborative, and community-centered leadership beyond the provision of housing alone.