My Statement to Ayer Tenants in Devenscrest

Over 200 Ayer residents came out to a community public forum on July 16 to express their outrage over the new property owner of Devenscrest Apartments sending eviction notices

After conversations with dozens of Ayer constituents at two community meetings concerning the attempted mass eviction of Devencrest apartments tenants by Brady Sullivan Properties of New Hampshire, I remain firm in encouraging the residents to continue to stay in their homes and prepare to oppose the developer's attempts to vacate the neighborhood.

I completely understand if a family finds another affordable place to live, but I believe that if tenants can remain united, efforts to stop these evictions can be successful. Since the first community meeting, I have worked with Rep. Danillo Sena and Rep. Sheila Harrington to secure Northeast Legal Aid to provide free legal advice. I also spoke with Ayer town officials and reached out to non-profit housing organizations to provide support to the tenants. 

I encourage Devencrest residents to document the conditions of their apartments through writing and photos and to contact the Nashoba Board of Health to inspect their homes. In addition, I hope that certain tenants can be designated as leaders of this neighborhood effort. Finally, if you do not hear from a Legal Aid attorney, please be sure to get in touch with Northeast Legal Aid.

If my State House office can be of any help, please contact my District Director Bianca DeSousa at bianca.desousa@masenate.gov or call (978-460-8564). The affordable housing crisis is coming to the Nashoba Valley. I stand with my Devenscrest constituents in firm opposition to the mass eviction effort by the new property developer and will continue to fight back.