Tony’s Story

Antonio Rivera, who goes by “Tony,” was referred to Community Legal Aid through our Worcester Medical-Legal Partnership^* with UMass Memorial Health.

Tony worked for many years in maintenance and custodial jobs. Now in his 60’s, he suffered back injuries two decades ago that, in addition to his other health issues, severely limit his mobility. Tony is unable to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time. His only income is from a modest monthly disability benefit. For 16 years, Tony lived in a small basement apartment in Worcester, which still cost almost half of his monthly income.  In Fall of 2020, as the pandemic raged, an investor bought his apartment building and immediately raised all the rents. Tony could not pay the increased rent, so the new owner filed an eviction case against him.

While CLA Staff Attorney Mariyam Bhatti worked on Tony’s eviction case, Tony received a letter informing him that his application for subsidized housing was denied because of a criminal record from 20 years ago. After months of advocacy by CLA Staff Attorney Nina Harrison to help Tony seal this decades-old criminal record, his denial was overturned, and Tony was approved for subsidized housing. With CLA’s help, he was able to move into accessible public housing. Soon after moving into his new apartment, Tony began treatment for cancer, and his safe, accessible apartment, provided a far more comfortable place for him to live out his final days.