We had the good fortune of connecting with Tracy Woodard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tracy, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
Well, hopefully we won’t have to keep building huts because Georgia will have an adequate housing supply, but in the interim I’m happy that we were able to navigate clients towards permanent housing and keep tabs on the ones who prefer to stay outside. Some clients will refuse services at first, and it’s our job as a community to look after them until they’re ready for the next step. We need to influence the next generation of helpers, to demonstrate that you don’t have to be an emergency responder to assist neighbors in crisis, but that anyone can improve the situation if you’re willing to engage strangers.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Mad Housers has been building small modular shelters since 1987, especially in parts of Atlanta where there are few resources for the unhoused. Once an individual is stabilized, we can then have a conversation about permanent housing or other social services.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta Contemporary has a fantastic selection of outsider art. Highly recommend the lattes at Spiller Park Cafe in Ponce City Market. Also check out the Frisky Whisker on Pryor Street, it’s a nightclub wrapped around a cat sanctuary!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Metropolitan Studios has some of the most compassionate people I know! One of my homeless mothers wasn’t able to afford work clothes and the ladies at Metropolitan stepped in to help at a moment’s notice. https://www.metrostudioseav.com/

Website: madhousers.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madhousersatlanta/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mad.housers.atl

Image Credits
Photos by Tracy Woodard

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