My Journey in Public Housing Management

About the Book

This book is an independent study that I did to examine public housing in general and the Glenarden Housing Authority, known as Hawkins Manor, located in the Town of Glenarden, Maryland. The study is based on my tenure there for two years (1988-1990) as the executive director. I originally wrote a Guided Independent Study Project on Public Housing in 1995 while in College at Columbia Union College. I wanted to put this information in book form.

About the Author

Joel Fisher was born in Greenville, South Carolina, on October 7, 1941. He was an only child of Joel and Veola McAdams Fisher; both are now deceased. Joel Fisher attended Sterling High School in Greenville, South Carolina, and graduated in 1959. After high school, he attended Voorhees Junior College in 1960 on a work scholarship, which partially paid for some of his tuition. Voorhees is now on a four-year college. He did not return to Voorhees Junior College for his second year. Joel enlisted in the United States Army in 1962. He served overseas duty as an infantry soldier in Augsburg, Germany, for two years. In 1965, Joel reenlisted in the United States Army for three more years for helicopter maintenance/repair school at Fort Eustis, Virginia, for nineteen weeks. After completion of school, he received orders to go to Vietnam. Joel reported to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was assigned to the 390th TC detachment company. This company supported the 48th assault helicopter company for helicopter maintenance and repair. After arriving in Vietnam, Joel was put in command of a helicopter maintenance repair team, which consisted of seven men. During his first month in Vietnam, he volunteered to fly as a helicopter door gunner on an assault helicopter for the 48th assault helicopter company. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Aircraft Crewman’s Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with two (2) Bronze Service Stars, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 1960. In 1966, after one year in Vietnam, Joel received orders to report to Fort Benning, Georgia, for duty. In November 1967, he was promoted to staff Sergeant (E6) as a noncommissioned officer. Joel departed the United States Army with an honorable discharge in February 1968. In March 1968, he joined the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC. In 1973, as a police officer, during his tenure, he also worked as a youth division investigator and a helicopter observer. Joel was in a helicopter crash while on duty, and he was injured to the effect that he had to retire in 1976 on disability. In 1977, Joel married Barbara A. Brooks; he has one son, Joel Fisher III. Joel attended the University of the District of Columbia from 1977 to 1979 and received an associate degree in mechanical engineering. In 1993, he entered Columbia Union College, the name of the college was changed in 2009, and it is now called Washington Adventist University. Joel graduated on August 3, 1995, receiving a bachelor of science degree in business administration. Joel was able to get into public housing management due to a good neighbor, Dr. Robert S. Beale Sr. FreeMasonry, Prince hall affiliation, Ionic Lodge # 17, advance to grade of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, 32 degree, Jonathan Davis Consistory No.1, Ancient accepted Scottish Rite located at Washington, D.C., April 1974. Throughout his journey, Joel has also been a math resource teacher for the District of Columbia Public Schools. On June 1, 2001, Joel received the Ward Seven Education Council Outstanding Teacher Award.