Housing advocates say Don Jose Velasquez’s case highlights the need for statewide rent control protections as corporate landlords expand their footprint across Greater Boston
BOSTON — Boston-area tenants, housing advocates and community organizers will rally Tuesday, November 10, in support of a 70-year-old East Boston resident facing eviction by landlord Groma, Inc., despite owing no rent.
The rally, organized by City Life/Vida Urbana, will take place at 9 a.m. outside Groma’s corporate office at 31 New Chardon St. in Boston. The demonstration will bring together fellow Groma tenants, housing justice advocates, Greater Boston Legal Services and members of the Homes For All Massachusetts coalition and the Keep Massachusetts Home rent control campaign.
At the center of the dispute is Jose Velasquez, known as Don Jose, who has lived at 300 Meridian Street in East Boston for approximately 20 years and is an active member of the Groma Tenants Association. Groma, which owns more than 155 properties across Greater Boston, purchased his building in fall 2025 and subsequently informed tenants of its intention to take possession of his apartment for a complete renovation.
According to City Life/Vida Urbana, Don Jose signed a three-year lease in 2023 with the building’s previous owner, GRID Management. After acquiring the property, Groma offered him a one-year lease renewal that included an increase in monthly rent, along with what advocates describe as unclear holdover fees and provisions tied to “market rent.” The proposed lease also stated that the company intended to take possession of the apartment after the one-year term for a complete renovation.
Don Jose declined to sign the proposed agreement. Groma subsequently filed a no-fault eviction case against him in April 2026. He does not owe any rent, according to tenant advocates.
The case has significant implications for Don Jose’s family. He lives with his 67-year-old wife, their 48-year-old daughter and their 26-year-old grandchild. His daughter and grandchild have disabilities that prevent them from living independently, making the family’s housing stability particularly important.
In addition to contesting the eviction, Don Jose has raised concerns about unresolved maintenance issues, disputed rent charges and late fees. He and his family are seeking a multi-year lease with annual rent increases capped at 5 percent.
Don Jose attended a pretrial hearing with Groma on October 26 and is scheduled for a jury trial on November 16, 2026.
Housing advocates say his situation illustrates the growing challenges faced by longtime tenants as large real estate companies acquire residential properties across the Boston region. They argue that elderly residents and families with limited housing alternatives are particularly vulnerable to displacement when corporate landlords pursue major renovations and seek possession of occupied apartments.
The rally also comes shortly after a popular rent control measure was kept off the November 3, 2026, Massachusetts ballot, preventing voters from deciding on the proposal this fall.
Organizers say Don Jose’s case underscores the need for statewide rent control protections rather than requiring tenants to fight eviction threats and rent increases one building and one family at a time. They argue that meaningful protections could help prevent displacement, provide greater housing stability and protect longtime residents from sudden and potentially unaffordable changes to their housing arrangements.
City Life/Vida Urbana, a 53-year-old multilingual community-based organization, works to build the collective power of low-income and working-class communities to advance social, racial and economic justice and gender equality. Its work focuses on preventing housing displacement through community organizing, leadership development, direct action and policy advocacy.
The organization supports tenants and small homeowners facing eviction, rent increases, unhealthy housing conditions, foreclosure and gentrification, with a particular focus on Dorchester, Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Hyde Park and East Boston.
Through Tuesday’s rally, organizers hope to draw attention to Don Jose’s fight and the broader struggle for housing security across Greater Boston.
Rally Details:
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Groma Corporate Office, 31 New Chardon St., Boston, MA
