ReBuilding Center is a climate justice organization on a mission to make reuse and repair accessible to all as a means to reduce waste, end overconsumption, and empower homeowners and renters by making better use of our existing resources.

We know that the ability to perform home repairs is one of the key factors in keeping people safe in their homes and resilient in the face of climate change, especially people living with low incomes. We also know that a tremendous amount of useful building and construction materials fill up our landfills every year. We connect this material to the people who need it, and teach folks how to repair instead of replace.

Our Store

Our 30,000 sq. foot store is a treasure trove of Portland architectural history salvaged from deconstructed and renovated old homes, as well as new materials from our partners in construction and development. It’s a tremendous resource for reuse of sustainable, affordable materials, and with the high cost of building materials our services are needed now more than ever.

We accept donations of building materials and home goods and return them to our community - from $50 solid wood doors to high-quality lighting for up to 90% off of retail prices, plumbing to antique windows, unique decorative architectural elements to reclaimed lumber…we offer it all at affordable prices to ensure that people can afford the materials they need to safely repair and renovate their homes.

Our Classes

Through our repair skills classes, we teach our community how to perform safe, affordable, sustainable home repairs and improvements, and how to maintain their homes. For many homeowners, their house is their most significant asset, but they might not know how to preserve and maintain that asset as a means to build generational wealth. We offer classes to teach people how to keep their homes safe, sustainable, functional, and in good repair. Through this work, we build comfort and confidence in repair, saving our community money, building economic resilience, keeping stuff out of landfills, and empowering people to stay in their own homes.

Founded as a nonprofit in 1997, ReBuilding Center continues to work every day to ensure that everyone has access to:

• affordable salvaged building materials,

• the tools and skills needed to repair and remain in their homes,

• opportunities to divert waste from the landfill and be part of the reuse movement; &

• a healthy environment with less emissions and toxins associated with landfills and new production.

Impact

Since launching in 1997, ReBuilding Center has:

diverted over 35,000 tons of reusable building materials from the waste stream, reclaiming materials and mitigating the negative health and environmental impacts of landfills and new production;

provided affordable building materials to over 1 million members of our community;

taught over 1000 carpentry, plumbing, and electrical classes to over 11,500 students, creating a safe and encouraging place for all people to learn, in part by offering women-, LGBTQ-, and BIPOC-only classes and providing partial need-based and BIPOC scholarships.

Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1997, the ReBuilding Center’s tax identification number is 93-1241474. Make a donation to support our work here.