Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Woodard
Hi Tracy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started doing street outreach at age 18 with a local needle exchange, and ever since then I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible advocates for the unhoused population. Mad Housers started at the Georgia Tech school of architecture in the 80’s, and since my husband and I took over in 2001 we’ve been able to build hundreds of small, modular shelters and give them away for free.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
NIMBYism is by far the greatest threat to affordable housing in Georgia, a lot of new people coming in who want city life with the rough edges sanded off, as if Atlanta was a theme park. That’s why it’s so important to draw in the community—schools,, churches, neighborhood organizations—so they get some idea of what homelessness is like in the off-road parts of the map and be part of the solution.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Mad Housers is an Atlanta-based nonprofit that builds small shelters for homeless adults and gives them away for free. It’s not meant to be permanent, merely a stepping stone from the street to housing, which we facilitate by connecting clients other Atlanta charities such as Intown Cares, MercyCare, Good Samaritan, and other wonderful homeless advocacy groups.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Paris in 1988. I will always conflate the smell of a real city with diesel, urine, and fresh bread.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madhousers.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madhousersatlanta/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mad.housers.atl
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkHT_GqEfwsbVJaOzaDv56D9TSjmWK5wn
Image Credits
Photos 1,2,3, by John Arthur Brown, all others by Tracy Woodard
