Frances Reid, a distressed homeowner from Chapelle Crescent in Tillicoultry, has issued a heartfelt plea to local councillors, marking the anniversary of the forced evacuation of 30 homeowners from their properties due to the REinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) scandal. Frances’s emotional correspondence sheds light on the devastating consequences of recent housing policies affecting homeowners across Scotland, as she now faces homelessness due to circumstances beyond her control.
In her poignant email, Frances expressed her profound sadness over the perceived indifference from the council and government officials. “No one can truly understand how it feels to be evicted from your home and have no control over your future unless you’ve been subjected to it,” she wrote. The emotional turmoil she experiences daily—devastation, grief, loss, and confusion—has left her feeling shattered and vulnerable, with her belongings scattered and her future uncertain.
Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, echoed Frances’s sentiments, stating, “It is demeaning to see Scottish MSPs refuse support for homeowners like Frances on the basis that the UK Government has not provided funding. This refusal allows many citizens to live under the shadow of an impending financial crisis, leaving them vulnerable and unsupported. Local councils have prioritized best value for themselves rather than the safety and well-being of the very people they are meant to protect. It is unacceptable that bureaucratic indifference has allowed the suffering of constituents to be sidelined, while homeowners are left grappling with fear and uncertainty. We need to see courage and compassion from our leaders, not apathy.”
Frances's situation is emblematic of a broader crisis affecting thousands of homeowners across Scotland. Local councils have prioritized financial metrics over the safety and mental well-being of the citizens they are meant to protect. Information released by councils has often been granular and deficient, attempting to obscure the truth while lulling affected homeowners into a false sense of security. “Bureaucratic indifference has taken precedence, as councillors appear unwilling and uncaring, lacking the courage to do what is right,” Frances lamented.
Chapelle Crescent, like many communities, has faced years of neglect and disrepair. Urgent maintenance issues were only addressed after homeowners took it upon themselves to organize private surveys, resulting in traumatic evictions with minimal notice. “Did we need to be evicted with only two hours' notice? Probably not,” Frances noted, emphasizing the shocking treatment faced by her and her neighbors.
The impact of these housing crises is not just physical; the emotional toll is profound. Many homeowners are grappling with anxiety, depression, and an overwhelming sense of loss. Frances’s plea serves as a stark reminder that these are not just properties—they are homes filled with memories, hopes, and dreams. “I implore you to consider our futures carefully. We are not just statistics; we are real people whose lives have been fractured,” she said.
As Frances continues to advocate for herself and her fellow homeowners, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for systemic change. With the specter of financial instability looming over many, it is crucial that local and national governments step up to provide support and solutions. “We deserve better,” Frances declared, calling for meaningful intervention and assistance for those affected by similar crises.
The community stands at a crossroads, and decisive action is needed to ensure that no homeowner is left behind. Frances urges local councillors to listen, respond, and take responsibility for the plight of their constituents.
You can read Frances Reid's emotional plea for support here:
The day my life changed foreverThank you for reading my correspondence considering you all sat in the councillor's meeting and portrayed your concern and support for all homeowners, no one has responded to any of my previous emails or my knowledge has been proactive in supporting our plight.
As a homeowner, the belief of the council that they have no responsibility towards us is reprehensible. I have strived and worked my whole life to provide myself with a future which would be mortgage-free with my limited funds. I have worked hard, paid my taxes, never been in debt and I now find myself in this horrific position of being homeless.
No one can truly understand how it feels to be evicted from your home and have no control over your future unless you’ve been subjected to it. Whilst you’re surrounded by your own home comforts, take a minute, at least one to think about how that would feel if it happened to you. The devastation, grief, loss and confusion are just some of the emotions I have to contend with every day.
I didn’t buy my home from the council as a tenant because I was never a council tenant, I don’t fit the criteria so I’ve been self sufficient all my life, until now. And now I’m homeless.
Chapelle Crescent has been run down for years and questions unanswered from the council as to why, but we all know plans had already been made which were finally confirmed at the first and only meeting of the 3 affected blocks.
Had the owner concerned about the lack of maintenance to our roof not privately organised and paid for a survey would we still be there? Probably.
Did we need to be evicted with 2 hours notice? Probably not.
No one else with Raac has had the dramatic and traumatic treatment we have had.
A year on, my future, my finances, my place to call home, my belongings are still shattered and scattered around me, a jigsaw puzzle I can’t comprehend or complete.
26 September ‘23 my life was destroyed and it will never be the same again whilst you proclaim to have no responsibility to me as a homeowner. You control the building as 9/12 owners and reneged your role as factors without informing anyone. You have the power in your hands to either help me and my fellow homeowners or try to destroy us.
I implore you to consider our futures carefully. We are not a statistic, nor bricks and mortar. We are real people whose lives have been and continue to be fractured, looking for a fair deal for the homes we have lost through no fault of our own.
I await your response
Thank you
Frances Reid
