PORTLAND, Ore. — As of Saturday, 22 houses in Portland were transformed, thanks to the nonprofit Rebuilding Together.
The homeowners said these repairs will not only make them feel safer — but also be life-changing for their health.
“I needed everything," said Joseph Kearney, who has lived in his Northeast Portland home for 16 years. “My landlord died two years ago and he put me in his will and I was able to buy the house with an option that he gave me.”
Kearney admits the place needs work, such as "a porch that was over a hundred years old that needed to be rebuilt and insulation underneath the house, and eventually, we’ll get a new roof on it.”
Throughout April, Rebuilding Together and the contractors they partner with are focusing on veterans, older adults and people living with disabilities. Rebuilding Together said that fixed-income families are often forced to prioritize food and healthcare over attending to the crumbling foundation of an older home.
“Now, my gas bill is going to go down because I’m insulated now, and it should help me out because my grocery bill is through the ceiling," said Kearney.
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Judy Ericksen told KGW that she has 20 years of clutter in her Southwest Portland house from three generations of hoarders.
“I took everybody’s stuff that they were getting rid of and kept it for myself, and now, I can unload," said Ericksen.
Stair improvements, painting, gutter repairs and waste removal are all part of what Rebuilding Together provides, hoping people with fewer resources can have a home that keeps them protected and healthy.
“The more you get rid of this stuff, the better off you are, the safer you are, it’s better for everybody,” Ericksen said.
Rebuilding Together said they are always taking in volunteers. If you are interested or need repairs to your home, head over to Rebuildingtogether.org.