However , the problem with the increasing amount of public exposure was the fact that their work is technically illegal . There have been several occasions when city officials and the Department of Parks , Recreation , and Cultural Affairs have torn down huts considering them " infractions of the law " . Important city events such as the 1988 Democratic National Convention ( and presumably the 1996 Olympics ) also created tension between the city and the Mad Housers by clearing out several sites . However , the Mad Housers were able to reach an " informal alliance with local officials and the city police " . As one article pointed out , " the mayors seem to have realized these are not normal times . We ca n't deal in niceties and fine points here " . In a 20/20 interview , Atlanta 's mayor said that the Mad Housers perform " the kind of civil disobedience I can get behind " making a reference to Thoreau . In 1989 , the mayor promised them a $ 30,000 grant , but the group had trouble obtaining the tax exempt status required for them to accept the grant . By 2002 , they had achieved tax-exempt status , and were able to work the situation out
1988 Democratic National Convention
1988 Democratic National Convention
Mad Housers