OUR STORY
Professional Expertise, Transformative Impact
The Back Outside Collective was founded by Tracey “Big Mama” Howard — a licensed Realtor (#6501423442) and senior mortgage broker (NMLS #1107565) with 15+ years in real estate, who has also lived homelessness and built her way back. She uses that expertise to own, finance, and operate the housing herself — so residents and partners deal with one accountable person, not a chain of landlords. That combination of lived experience and professional skill is what makes our housing different: we know what our residents are walking through, and we know how to run a home that lasts.
- Market dynamics
- Strategic financing
- Wealth-building opportunities
- Personal empowerment
Years of Helping Detroiters Find Stable Housing
OUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
What began as a career in real estate and mortgage brokerage
has evolved into a mission-driven organization that transforms lives through strategic, professional housing solutions. Our approach is uniquely positioned because we understand housing is not just about a room—it’s about:
- Rebuilding financial foundations
- Creating economic mobility
- Developing sustainable life skills
- Guiding individuals toward independence
Meet Tracey Howard - Licensed Housing Professional & CEO
PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE:
LICENSED CREDENTIALS
- Real Estate Professional - License #6501423442 (8+ years active practice)
- Senior Mortgage Broker - NMLS #1107565 (16+ years industry experience)
- IRWA Certified Relocation Specialist - Government program expertise
SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE
- Housing Finance & Market Analysis
- Community Development Strategy
- Property Acquisitoon & Investment Analysis
- Credit Restoration & Homeownership Preparation
PROFESSIONAL IMPACT
- Families Successfully Housed
- Extensive Metro Detroit Professional Network
PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Housing is not just shelter—it’s the foundation for economic mobility, personal empowerment, and generational wealth building. My role is to provide the professional expertise that transforms housing from temporary relief into permanent life change.
PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT
Every call, every consultation, every housing placement receives the same professional ahention I’ve provided to hundreds of families over 16+ years in real estate and mortgage services.
Bridging the gap between housing insecurity and sustainable living through professional, strategic support. We leverage 16+ years of real estate and mortgage expertise to provide more than shelter—we create comprehensive pathways to economic mobility, personal empowerment, and homeownership.
MISSION PILLARS:
- Safe, Modern Housing
- Professional Skill Development
- Financial Literacy & Empowerment
- Clear Homeownership Strategies
- Personalized Economic Mobility
To revolutionize supportive housing by proving that professional expertise, combined with compassionate support, can transform individual lives and rebuild community economic foundations.
VISION COMMITMENTS:
- Universal Housing Access
- Professional-Guided Transformation
- Sustainable Community Development
- Economic Opportunity Creation
- Generational Wealth Building