History

Neighbors helping neighbors, like the barn-raising of old, is the American spirit in action. Rebuilding Together was born of that spirit as people came together to help their low-income neighbors fix their houses – first in Texas, then in Washington, D.C., and then California and beyond.

In 1988, with 13 loosely organized programs in operation, the national office began. The organization was started as "Christmas in April" and the first office was in the basement of Patty Johnson's Washington D.C. home. Johnson had served as the first Executive Director of the D.C. affiliate and was chosen as the first President and CEO of the national organization. The national office assisted in the planning, development and coordination of all services, as well as focusing on replicating the volunteer rehabilitation model in cities and towns across the nation. Fifteen years later there are nearly 225 affiliates serving more than 955 cities and towns.

In 2000, the organization, recognizing the growing needs of low-income homeowners, expanded its mission to provide more year-round services and a greater diversity of services, all focused around the core goal of rehabilitation and revitalization. With the expanded mission came a new name, a name that reflects the work and the partnership approach used by our organization. Today various service modules are under way in many communities, among them emergency services, home modifications, weatherization and non-profit facility repair.