Community Legal Aid Launches Eviction Sealing Project for Central and Western Massachusetts Tenants
By What’s Up Worcester Staff
With funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, Community Legal Aid has introduced a new initiative to help tenants seal their court eviction records. The Central and Western Mass. Eviction Sealing Project is designed to assist low-income and elderly residents across five counties, including Worcester County.
According to the organization, staff members in the housing unit will file sealing petitions on behalf of tenants, represent them at hearings, and conduct public outreach. The project will also partner with the organization’s reentry unit to host joint legal clinics for individuals working to overcome barriers associated with criminal records. Organizers plan to hold at least one clinic per month over the next year to provide direct assistance.
The initiative follows a state law that took effect on May 5, 2025, allowing tenants to petition the court to seal certain eviction cases. Blair Komar Bates, senior supervising attorney for the housing unit in Worcester County, stated that publicly visible eviction cases often prevent residents from securing jobs, loans, and stable housing. Bates noted that these records remain visible to landlords and employers even if the tenant did nothing to warrant the filing or if a judge ultimately dismissed the case.
For Worcester residents, this project addresses significant challenges in the local housing market. Eviction records can severely limit rental options during a period of high housing demand and rising homelessness. Housing cases currently make up approximately 40 percent of the annual caseload for Community Legal Aid, which handled 3,700 housing cases in 2025. By providing targeted legal support, the project aims to help local families and seniors navigate the complex statutory requirements for sealing their records.
Individuals seeking more information on the process can review guidelines at SealMyEviction.org. Those interested in applying for legal representation can visit the Community Legal Aid assistance page or contact their office by phone at 855-252-5342.
🔍 The W.U.W. Verification Box
- Project / Topic: Central and Western Mass. Eviction Sealing Project
- Current Status: Launched and actively organizing legal clinics
- Key Dates or Decisions: May 5, 2025 (Effective date of Massachusetts eviction sealing law)
- Estimated Cost (if applicable): Free legal services for eligible low-income and elderly individuals
- Timeline (if known): At least 12 joint sealing clinics planned over the course of a year
- Immediate Next Steps: Tenants can review eligibility requirements online or apply directly for legal services
- Primary Sources: Community Legal Aid press release
- What We Do Not Yet Know: Specific dates, times, and locations for the upcoming Worcester County sealing clinics
About The Author
