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Tenants press council over Alpha Capital notices; council offers Fair Rent and referrals
Summary
Residents from buildings recently acquired by Alpha Capital told the council they received eviction notices and asked for support negotiating with the owner; councilors urged use of the Fair Rent Commission, pledged help and referred related materials to the Public Welfare committee.
Jocelyn Rosario, Council President, opened final public comment and heard tenants from buildings recently purchased by Alpha Capital raise alarms about eviction notices and rent spikes.
Leticia Taylor, who said she lives at 461 William Street, described tenants organizing as the Connecticut Tenants Union after notices and rent increases at multiple buildings and urged the council to support collective bargaining and tenant protections. “We are asking for stability, transparency, and the right to remain in our homes,” Taylor said during public comment.
Daniel Park, a resident of a building he said Alpha Capital recently acquired, told the council half the building had received notices to quit by Dec. 1 and said some tenants— including a disabled veteran and a tenant with a traumatic brain injury—did not know they were protected by just-cause eviction rules until the union informed them. “It is clear that Alpha Capital was fully intending to kick these people out into the winter cold,” Park said.
Councilors responded with procedural and practical next steps. President Dominguez and others told tenants to document details by email so staff and counselors can follow up, and Councilor Hart urged collective bargaining and said he intends to introduce legislation to expand tenant protections (not retroactive) in the upcoming session. Mayor Michael Passaro said the administration supports tenants’ efforts and reminded residents that the city’s Fair Rent Commission is available to appeal unreasonable rent increases.
Council action: The council voted to refer related agenda material (item 7.1b) to the Public Welfare committee for further review and possible recommendations. No new statutory powers were enacted during the meeting.
Why it matters: Tenants said the notices threaten long-term residents and described an urgent need for council support and clear pathways for appeal and negotiation; councilors recommended administrative avenues and pledged legislative and constituency support going forward.
What happens next: The Public Welfare committee will review the referred materials and may propose actions or recommendations to the full council. Councilors also said they will coordinate outreach between tenants, staff and the Fair Rent Commission.
