Statement of Support for Devenscrest Tenants from State Senator Jamie Eldridge, State Representatives Danillo Sena and Sheila Harrington

As state legislators representing the town of Ayer, we continue to stand in solidarity with the Devenscrest neighborhood of Ayer and oppose the attempted mass eviction of residents by Brady Sullivan Realty. We acknowledge that this mass eviction is not happening in a bubble, but rather is part of a deeply troubling pattern of well-financed developers purchasing distressed properties, removing working families and long-time residents, and constructing new housing that does not have the current tenants in mind. 

Since we first heard from our constituents throughout the town of Ayer in July about Brady Sullivan Realty’s purchase of this neighborhood of over 120 apartments, we have been proud to attend community meetings, connect residents with Northeast Legal Aid, reach out to Ayer town officials, provide information about state rental assistance, contact lawyers representing Brady Sullivan Realty, and advocate for additional state and federal money be dedicated to building and protecting affordable housing, including working class housing like the Devenscrest apartments. 

We recognize that Brady Sullivan Realty has begun taking Ayer families and residents living in the Devenscrest neighborhood to court to remove them from their homes, despite the many children who attend the Ayer-Shirley public schools and the winter approaching. We continue to believe that Brady Sullivan Realty should be in direct communication with town officials in Ayer, Nashoba Valley service organizations, and the Ayer legislative delegation, in order to reach an agreement that avoids such a hostile displacement of this Ayer neighborhood. We stand ready to attend any future meetings, rallies, or community gatherings to achieve this goal.

While communication with Brady Sullivan Realty has been limited, we do want to make sure that Devenscrest tenants know that a non-profit organization in the region has expressed interest to purchase all or part of the Devenscrest apartments to maintain their affordability, and that a state housing agency is willing to finance this proposed purchase. So far Brady Sullivan Realty has made it clear to us and the town of Ayer that they are not willing to sell part or all of its new property. Therefore, we continue to oppose the developer’s plans to clear out the neighborhood and we encourage all Ayer residents to oppose this mass eviction. 

If we can be of any assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact Immaculate.Mchome@masenate.gov in my office, or Daniel.Szetela@mahouse.gov in Representative Sena’s office who represents that part of Ayer.