Ethel Wise

Ethel Wise is one of two Resident Commissioners who were elected in April of 2014 by PHA residents, pursuant to a process created under the Pennsylvania Housing Authorities Law, Act 130. Commissioner Wise is President of the Wilson Park Family Resident Council, a native of Philadelphia and has a personal history of involvement, community engagement and commitment to bettering the lives of those in public housing for over 40 years. As President of the PHA housing development at Martin Luther King for approximately 32 years, Commissioner Wise developed an effective job bank, a food bank and a town watch program that was recognized as one of the best in the country, and, in 1993, she received the Mayor's Community Service Award. Commissioner Wise also created and managed PHA's Lobby Monitor Program, which promoted resident safety and resident employment with a well-defined career path. She has been a leader in providing national and local training for Resident Councils on HUD regulations and also has served as a Democratic Party Committeewoman for the last 25 years.