Fix-It Fair Resource Guide
Community resources for you and your family
Money-saving solutions for healthy homes and gardens
Fix-It Fairs
BPS Fix-It Fairs offer money-saving solutions and educational opportunities to you and your family while emphasizing healthy, environmentally friendly homes and gardens. Fairs are held three times a year — from late fall to mid-winter. Visit www.portlandonline.com/bps/fif or call 503-823-4309.
The Resource Guide features many Fix-It Fair partners as resources for you and your neighbors.
Home and Personal Health
City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development - Green Building Hotline
Information on green building strategies, resources and financial incentives.
503-823-5431 | www.portlandonline.com/bps/greenbuilding
City of Portland Office of Transportation
Maps and information for getting around town by foot, bike, bus or MAX.
503-823-5490 | www.portlandonline.com/transportation
Metro Household Hazardous Products
Reduce your use of toxic products in the home and garden. Properly dispose of household hazardous products and paints.
503-234-3000 | www.oregonmetro.gov
Metro Recycled Paint
Purchase recycled paint for interior or exterior applications at Metro’s retail store, and learn how to dispose of all paints correctly.
503-234-3000 | www.oregonmetro.gov
Multnomah County Environmental Health — Vectors and Viruses
Protect your home and health.
503-988-3400 ext. 25860 | www.mchealth.org/vector
Oregon Food Bank
Distributes food weekly to more than 300 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs that help low-income individuals. Programs include Harvest Share, Community Basket, Clackamas County Food Basket, nutrition education classes and the learning garden.
503-282-0555 | www.oregonfoodbank.org
Portland Office of Emergency Management (POEM)
Community training program using neighborhood, business and school emergency teams to assist in a widespread emergency.
503-823-4375 | www.portlandonline.com/oem
Utilities Savings
Energy
Community Energy Project
Empowers Portland metro area residents to maintain healthier homes, control utility costs, and conserve
natural resources through hands-on workshops and in-home services for qualified households.
- Home Weatherization: Workshops and in-home services for income- qualified households.
- Lead Poisoning Prevention: Workshops on how to protect your family from lead hazards.
503-284-6827 | www.communityenergyproject.org
Energy Trust of Oregon
Residential programs include home energy reviews, tax credits, and cash incentives for home energy efficiency.
1-866-ENTRUST | www.energytrust.org
Multnomah County Low Income Energy Assistance
Energy cost assistance to income-eligible households.
503-988-6295 | www.co.multnomah.or.us/dscp/hps_energy_asst.shtml
Multnomah County Weatherization
Energy savings through insulation and related services to income-eligible households.
503-988-6295, ext. 26596 | www.co.multnomah.or.us/dscp/weatherization.shtml
Oregon Department of Energy
- Oregon Residential Tax Credit: Tax credits for purchasing energy efficient appliances, heating and cooling equipment, and solar photovoltaic and water heating.
- State Home Oil Weatherization Program: Cash rebates for residents who install weatherization and heating measures in their oil, wood, propane or butane heated homes.
800-221-8035 | www.oregon.gov/ENERGY
Oregon HEAT
Resources for household heating needs, including bill payment assistance and information on energy conservation.
503-612-3790 | www.oregonheat.org
Pacific Power Blue Sky
Purchase up to 100 percent renewable energy through Blue Sky.
800-769-3717 | www.pacificpower.net
Portland General Electric
Information on energy efficiency, rebates, bill assistance, weatherization and renewable energy options.
503-228-6322 | www.portlandgeneral.com
Solar Oregon
Home tours, educational workshops and incentive information for residential and commercial solar energy systems.
503-231-5662 | www.solaroregon.org
Water
City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
Stormwater management, downspout disconnection, pollution prevention and naturescaping for clean rivers.
503-823-7740 | www.portlandonline.com/bes
City of Portland Water Bureau
Information and free devices for leak detection and indoor/outdoor water conservation. Bill assistance for income-eligible households: 503-823-7770
503-823-7404 | www.portlandonline.com/water
Garbage and Recycling
City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainablility - Garbage and Recycling
Waste and recycling questions answered.
503-823-7202 | www.portlandonline.com/bps
Metro Recycling and Waste Reduction
Find out where to recycle non-curbside items and how to dispose of non-recyclables properly.
503-234-3000 | www.oregonmetro.gov
Yard and Garden
City of Portland Parks and Recreation
- Community Gardens: Community garden locations and summer classes for kids. 503-823-1612
- Urban Forestry: Street tree planting, pruning and removal permits, general tree care classes and tree regulations.
503-823-4489
503-823-PLAY | www.portlandonline.com/parks
Friends of Trees
Neighborhood tree planting projects by volunteer tree-planting teams.
503-282-8846 | www.friendsoftrees.org
Growing Gardens
Installation of backyard food gardens, after-school garden clubs, gardening classes and workshops for Portland residents.
503-284-8420 | www.growing-gardens.org
Metro Natural Gardening
Information and workshops on composting, chemical-free pest/weed control and lawncare, and plant selection for the local climate. Purchase compost bins year-round at Metro's retail store on Swan Island.
503-234-3000 | www.oregonmetro.gov/garden
Your Home, Your Money
City of Portland Bureau of Development Services
Permits, inspections, land use and zoning for residential and commercial properties.
503-823-7300 | www.portlandonline.com/bds
Community Alliance of Tenants
Educates renters on their rights and advises tenants how to request improvements in their buildings.
503-288-0130 | www.oregoncat.org
Oregon Safe Net (Housing Connections and 211 Info)
Resources and listings for all forms of housing. Connects people with a place to live, housing services, and housing information. Locate health and human services in the Oregon and SW Washington region.
Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-723-3638 | www.housingconnections.org | www.211info.org
Oregon Construction Contractors Board (OCCB)
Anyone paid to work on property in Oregon must be licensed. Contact OCCB to check a contractor’s license.
503-378-4621 | www.oregon.gov/CCB
Portland Housing Bureau
Loans and grants for home repairs, purchase and renovation. Lead-based paint grants.
503-823-3400 | www.portlandonline.com/phb
Portland Housing Center
Quality education, counseling and financial assistance for first-time home buyers.
503-282-7744 x101 | www.portlandhousingcenter.org
REACH Community Development — Community Builders Program
Free home repairs for Portland’s senior and disabled low income homeowners living.
503-231-0682, ext.142 | www.reachcdc.org
7 Ways to save money on your utility bills
You have the power to reduce your energy bills! Every day we make choices that affect our electricity, gas, water, sewer or garbage costs. It's the right thisng to do: Small changes at home can help reduce expenses and create a healtheir home for your family.
- Contact the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) to schedule a FREE home energy review. ETO will recommend energy-saving measures specific to your house and install free compact fluorescent light bulbs, faucet aerators and showerheads. Call 1-800-866-ENTRUST or go to www.energytrust.org
- Order a free water conservation kit (water audit kit, leak detectors and more) from the City of Portland Water Bureau. Call 503-823-7439 or order online at www.portlandonline.com/water/conservationkits.
- Buy home appliances and windows that feature the Energy Star® label. Visit www.energytrust.org for information about cash incentives for these purchases.
- Make your home energy-tight: Set home heating thermostat to 68º F daytime, 55º F nighttime and water heater thermostat to 120º F. Add insulation to walls, under floors, ducts and attics.
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFL light bulbs.
- Use a smaller garbage can: garbage rates are based on the size of your can, so reuse, reduce and recycle to move to a lower rate. For more information contact the Bureau of Planning and Sustainablility's Garbage and Recycling Hotline at 503-823-7222 or www.portlandonline.com/bps
- “Phantom Power” is wasteful and can increase your energy bills: Microwaves, stereo equipment, televisions, chargers for cell phones or iPods, and computer equipment all draw power when plugged in. Shutting off the main switch on a power strip stops these devices from drawing power.