MEET THE FOUNDER
WHERE BARRIERS ARE BROKEN, STABILITY IS BUILT.
MEET The Founder
Tony Johnston is the founder of Northwest Georgia Independent Shared Living (NWGAISL). The program was not created from theory or policy—it was built from lived experience.
At 48 years old, Tony understands firsthand the challenges faced by individuals navigating incarceration, addiction, reentry, and homelessness. For much of his life, he experienced repeated cycles of instability, including incarceration and substance use, and the nearly insurmountable barriers that follow reentry—lack of credit, limited rental history, and a criminal record that often disqualifies people from traditional housing, even when they are ready to change.
Tony’s sobriety began during incarceration, where he served five years drug-free. Since his release, he has remained sober and committed to rebuilding his life responsibly within the community. One of the most critical turning points in his journey was access to stable housing. A local sober living home provided him with a safe place to live at a time when he had no address, no credit, and few options. That housing stability played a vital role in the court’s support of his release and gave him the foundation needed to move forward.
Today, Tony is gainfully employed and works closely within a professional, family-owned business environment rooted in Gordon County. The values of integrity, accountability, and community responsibility modeled by that organization have had a significant influence on his continued growth and on the vision behind NWGA Independent Shared Living. The encouragement, guidance, and community ties he has developed through this work helped shape the structure, expectations, and standards of the program.
Through his journey, Tony came to understand a simple but powerful truth: housing is foundational. Without a stable place to live, recovery, employment, compliance with court obligations, and personal growth become exponentially harder. NWGA Independent Shared Living was created to address that gap by offering a structured, sober, independent shared living environment for adults who are ready to work, follow clear rules, and take responsibility for their next steps.
This work is deeply personal. It keeps Tony focused, accountable, and grounded. NWGA Independent Shared Living exists so that others do not have to rely on luck to find stability—only readiness, effort, and the willingness to move forward.
I came to understand just how foundational housing is—especially for individuals in recovery, reentry, or transition. Without a stable place to live, everything else becomes harder to achieve. Northwest Georgia Independent Shared Living was created to provide that foundation: a structured, sober, and independent shared living environment for adults who are ready to work, follow clear rules, and take responsibility for their next steps.
This work is deeply personal to me. It keeps me focused, accountable, and grounded. NWGA Independent Shared Living exists so that others do not have to rely on luck to find stability—only readiness, effort, and the willingness to move forward.
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OUR MISSION
Our mission is to reduce housing barriers for adults who are ready to reestablish stability, structure, and sobriety, but are unable to secure traditional housing.
NWGA Independent Shared Living provides affordable, structured shared housing for individuals facing homelessness or housing instability due to prior evictions, criminal history, lack of rental history, or recovery-related barriers. We offer housing without deposits, background checks, or eviction screening—focusing instead on personal responsibility, employment, and readiness for change.
A core part of our mission is supporting sober and recovery-focused living. Our homes are designed for individuals who are committed to maintaining a drug- and alcohol-free environment and who understand the importance of accountability, structure, and respectful shared living. While we are not a treatment or medical facility, we recognize that stable housing is critical to sustained recovery.
We serve adults who are:
• Transitioning from homelessness
• Returning from incarceration without stable housing
• Veterans facing housing barriers
• Individuals in recovery who are stable and committed to sobriety
• Individuals managing mental health conditions, provided they are compliant with prescribed treatment
All residents must be able to live independently. NWGA Independent Shared Living does not provide medical care, counseling, or assisted living services. Residents are responsible for their own daily routines, employment, and personal recovery efforts.
Our mission is simple: when someone is ready to take responsibility, live sober, and move forward with purpose, we work to ensure that housing is no longer the barrier standing in their way.