Tenants of Alpha Capital Unite Across Town

 

New London, CT — Alpha Capital Funds, a CT-based investment-landlord firm owned by Tyler Smith, recently purchased five residential buildings in New London: 6 Redden Ave, 36 Nathan Hale St, 461 Williams St, and 105 & 111 Broad St. Since the acquisition of these properties, totaling 61 renters’ homes, Alpha Capital has issued 14 notices to quit, with more notices expected for additional tenants through August 2026. Notices to quit are the first step in the process of evicting tenants—in this case for no fault.

Tenants decided to rapidly unionize, join forces with already-unionized Alpha Capital tenants in Niantic, affiliate as a chapter of the Connecticut Tenants Union, and demand that Tyler Smith of Alpha Capital Funds meet them at the bargaining table to negotiate terms to remain securely housed. Tenants include senior and disabled tenants living on limited, fixed incomes, as well as working people and families with children—many of whom are already rent-burdened.

“My monthly disability income is $967. My monthly rent is $950. I’m already struggling every month to pay my other bills on top of the rent. If I get forced out of this apartment, what will I do then? My neighbors and I have literally no choice but to fight this. Tyler Smith, just come to the table and talk to us. Negotiate a new lease. That’s all we want. ” said Michael Duffy, tenant and union leader.

At New London City Hall, tenant union leaders announced the formation of their union and their demand for a fair deal that prevents their displacement. New London Mayor Michael Passero, State Senator Martha Marx, and Representative Anthony Nolan all voiced their support for the union’s demands and committed to reiterate those demands to Tyler Smith directly.

This press conference marked the expansion of tenant unions in southeastern Connecticut, as Niantic and New London tenants joined forces to combat the predatory landlording practices of Alpha Capital Funds in their communities and to fight back against no-fault evictions and unaffordable rents. Their cross-town solidarity represents a significant step up in scale of the region’s tenant movement.