Malden/Medford Tenants United To Demonstrate Against Alpha Management Corp. Evictions At Malden District Court House

Press Advisory

For Immediate Attention

Stop the evictions! – Malden District Courthouse demonstration fighting against 30+ retaliatory evictions by Alpha Management Corporation

Contact:  Alice Alisme, Malden /Medford Tenants United (617) 2UNIFY/(617)286-4397; maldentenantsunited@gmail.com)

Dateline:  August 6, 2012

Malden and Medford tenants and allies will be taking to the street again to call attention to the unreasonable rent increases, evictions and tenant harassment by Alpha Management and its owner, Anwar Faisal.  Impacted tenants and supporters will demonstrate Thursday, August 9^th at 8:30 a.m. outside of the Malden District Courthouse, 89 Summer Street, Malden, MA to draw attention to and stop no-fault evictions, harassment and to yet again ask that Alpha Management Corporation negotiate with Malden/Medford Tenants United (MTU).  MTU is an organization representing tenants living in the Malden and Medford apartment buildings purchased by Mr. Faisal on April 26, 2012.

Approximately 50-65 MTU residents and supporters in yellow T-shirts reading, “STOP Alpha Evictions – Negotiate with MTU” protested at the courthouse last Thursday from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m., then moved into courtrooms to support fellow tenants on the docket. [Pictures Below]

Mr. Faisal bought the Malden and Medford properties in a down market at historically low interest rates.  Despite being able to make a profit at current rents, he immediately tried to raise the rents of almost all existing tenants by $250 to $400/ month, even though, on May 17, 2012, he admitted that about 30% of the tenants in those properties were seniors, disabled, Section 8, veterans, or low income.  While Mr. Faisal talks about investing in Malden, he appears intent on severely reducing its supply of affordable housing and replacing it with housing that will bring him the most profits. 

Tenants have offered to pay reasonable rent increases spread over several years, but Mr. Faisal has refused to negotiate with MTU.  Instead, he has begun these no-fault evictions and showing existing tenants’ apartments without notice to, or the consent of such tenants.  On Monday morning, July 16, 20012, he began towing tenants’ cars even though he had cashed their checks covering July parking fees.  As a result, some tenants were unable to get to work and had to pay the towing and related costs.

One tenant says:

“After a lengthy unemployment that depleted my resources, I was finally hired in late March. Then just when I think I’ll be able to get back on my feet, one month later Alpha Management takes over with no warning from our prior landlord, my roommate left and now all my new income is going to rent. I have lived in this apartment for over 13 years; it is my home. I am connected to my neighbors and fellow tenants. With the way they have been harassing us, we have to fight this.”

MTU demands an end to these evictions, harassment tactics and requests that Mr. Faisal negotiate fairly and in good faith with MTU.

What: Demonstration to fight against the evictions, unreasonable rent increases and harassment by Alpha Management Co. and its owner, Mr. Anwar Faisal

When:  Starting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2012

Where: Malden District Courthouse, 89 Summer Street, Malden, MA

Who: Tenants and allies of affected Malden and Medford tenants