Aberdeen RAAC Crisis
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found in about 500 homes in the Balnagask area of Torry. This includes 364 council properties. This discovery exposes yet another failure of political leadership across the spectrum. People have ignored the plight of these residents, leading to devastating consequences.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) added that residents should contact their insurer directly for information about RAAC concerns. However, this advice is of little comfort to those already struggling. Insurers are hesitant to renew home insurance for properties with RAAC.
Insurance policies generally cover damage from events such as storms and floods, but they do not cover issues arising from building materials. The ABI stated, “They are not intended to cover design or build defects or to replace construction materials that are gradually deteriorating over time.” This leaves residents in a precarious position, with no insurance coverage for RAAC replacement.
Anyone who feels unfairly treated by their insurer should raise their concerns through the complaints process and may escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service. This bureaucratic runaround only adds to the stress of those already facing displacement.
Aberdeen City Council claims it will support its tenants and engage with owners and privately rented tenants to keep them informed. Yet, their actions suggest otherwise. Residents, already dealing with the threat of unsafe housing, are now battling the council’s inadequate response and shifting conditions.
Residents in Aberdeen have expressed outrage over the council’s handling of the situation. RAAC was identified in about 500 properties in the city’s Balnagask area three months ago. The frustration has turned to “pure rage.” Tenants have been told they must choose between their preferred area or property type, but not both, an unacceptable compromise for those already suffering.
Residents held a protest ahead of an Aberdeen City Council housing committee meeting, confronting the council’s co-leader Christian Allard in heated scenes. One woman passionately stated, “You wouldn’t live in it, and you wouldn’t have your family live in it.”
Mr Allard admitted the process would take months, acknowledging the difficulty ahead. However, his assurances ring hollow to those left in limbo. The council’s slow and insufficient response highlights a glaring neglect of responsibility, leaving many residents feeling abandoned.
Private homeowners share similar concerns over the lack of support and communication. Some who have already moved are still waiting for relocation and associated payments, exacerbating their financial struggles. Lynn Winstanley, who runs an online RAAC support group, expressed the community’s growing anger. She emphasized that people are being offered unacceptable housing options, pushing them into untenable living situations.
Council tenant Erica Mitchell’s experience exemplifies the council’s failure. They offered her a top-floor flat with no garden, despite her request for a one-bedroom ground-floor flat with a bit of garden. “I thought how on earth am I supposed to choose area or property? It feels like we’re back at square one,” she lamented.
The situation is having a profound impact on residents’ mental health, with the prolonged uncertainty causing significant distress. Violet Innes, who moved into her new home in April, is still waiting for over £2,000 in relocation costs. “I’m struggling, I’m behind with my bills, and I’ve had to ask my niece and son for money for shopping,” she said, highlighting the dire financial strain.
This situation underscores the pressing need for the government to step in and address the issue. Politicians from all parties have failed the residents of Balnagask, leaving them to fend for themselves in a crisis. Only someone who has experienced poverty and homelessness can truly understand how soul-destroying a £2,000 delayed payment can be. The government must take decisive action to provide the necessary support and ensure they do not leave anyone behind in such dire circumstances.