Tenants Union takes on Alpha Capital in Niantic

Tenants in Niantic at the Bay Point Apartments, formerly known as Windward Village, made history when they announced the formation of the Bay Point Tenant Union, representing 70% of the occupied units at the 60-unit apartment complex. Backed by the Connecticut Tenants Union, they are demanding collective bargaining with their landlord, Tyler Smith of Alpha Capital Funds. They were joined at the announcement by Sen Martha Marx, co-chair of the legislature’s Housing Committee, Rep Nick Menapace, and local supporters.

Tenants formed the union, the first of its kind in southeastern Connecticut. after more than a year of drastic rent hikes and deterioriating conditions since Smith’s takeover in 2024. Many of the residents, elderly longtime renters. were confronted with rent increases of $800 to $1000 a month.

They organized quickly, speaking out at town meetings, writing to legislators, and demanding action. Their pressure led to the establishment of the East Lyme Fair Rent Commission  in late 2024, a town of less then 20,000. With support from Connecticut Legal Aid, Connecticut Fair Housing Center, Step Up New London, New London Homeless Hospitality Center, and the Center for Housing Opportunity in Eastern Connecticut (CHO-EC), tenants brought forward many cases against Alpha.

In response the property was renamed “Bay Point” in 2025, but mold, broken appliances and unusable laundry facilities got worse. “Changing the name doesn’t change the reality,” said one tenant leader. “We are still living with poor conditions, unfair treatment, and rent hikes. That’s why we need a union.”

By forming a union, Bay Point residents are taking collective action to demand a seat at the table with Alpha Capital Funds, stable rents, safe living and accountability in property management.

In 2024, Alpha Capital’s owner, Tyler Smith, faced allegations of orchestrating false testimony at the State Capitol by directing employees to impersonate tenants during a hearing on the proposed Just Cause Eviction tenant protection bill.

Tenant leaders and advocates say this moment is bigger than one building. The Bay Point Tenant Union reflects a growing tenant movement across the state.