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Resident describes eviction practices and urges housing committee review
Summary
At the New Bedford Committee on Appointments and Briefings, resident Joseph Quigley described personal experience with eviction and alleged practices that lead to unhousing; the committee referred his concerns to the city’s Committee on Housing and agreed to invite him to testify at a future meeting.
Joseph Quigley, a New Bedford resident, told the Committee on Appointments and Briefings on July 22, 2025, that he has been unhoused twice and provided documents he said show “lies and deceit” used to force tenants from homes.
Quigley told the committee he collected “documents, photos, videos, audio transcripts, voicemails” he said demonstrate improper eviction practices and that he won a court agreement in his favor. “You are selling the city for parts, and that’s not fair,” he said, arguing that long-time renters are being pushed out as property is bought and redeveloped.
The remarks traced historical development patterns in the city’s East Side and said past narratives about neighborhood “notoriety” contributed to displacement. Quigley asked the committee to refer his testimony and evidence to the full Committee on Housing and to include renters on any committee that studies the issue.
Councilor Ian April made a motion to refer the item to the Committee on Housing; Councilor Brian K. Gomes seconded the motion. The committee voted in favor. Councilor Abraham, who said he chairs this year’s Committee on Housing, told Quigley the housing committee’s next scheduled meeting is in September and that Quigley’s office would be contacted to appear and provide additional detail.
Committee members who questioned Quigley advised collecting and presenting the records he referenced to support any formal review. The committee action was procedural: it referred Quigley’s submitted materials and testimony to the Committee on Housing for further consideration rather than adopting any new policy or ordinance.
Quigley also urged that people with renter experience be included on any study panel; committee members acknowledged that suggestion and said they would consider outreach when scheduling the housing meeting.
