Protest Over RAAC Crisis and Almond’s Flawed Housing Policy; Call to Redirect some of £0.5 Billion in Affordable Housing Funds to RAAC Homeowners

 

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West Lothian, Scotland – Today, 3rd September 2024, Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, led a significant protest from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a deputation to the West Lothian Council's Executive Committee. The protest addressed the ongoing RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) crisis affecting hundreds of homeowners in West Lothian. This rally was organized in response to the severe and escalating issues surrounding RAAC, which have left many families facing dire financial and emotional strain.

VIDEO:  Protesters call for justice and a fair deal!

The Human Cost of the RAAC Crisis

The RAAC issue in West Lothian is not just a technical problem—it represents a personal catastrophe for many families. The crisis affects over 300 homes, but these figures only tell part of the story. For countless residents, these homes are not just buildings but the culmination of years of hard work, savings, and sacrifice. They symbolize a stable future and a legacy for future generations.

Wilson Chowdhry’s Address Highlights Critical Concerns

In his speech, Chowdhry emphasized the multifaceted impact of the crisis:

1. Emotional and Psychological Impact: "This crisis extends beyond the physical dangers of RAAC. It's a profound emotional burden. Residents are facing anxiety, depression, and a constant fear for their safety. This is not just about fixing buildings—it's about addressing the shattered mental well-being of our community."

2. Financial Strain: "Many homeowners are now staring at repair bills that could run into tens of thousands of pounds, or even the possibility of demolition. For those who have invested their life savings or inherited property, this situation is devastating. Young homeowners, in particular, are at risk of being burdened with mortgages for homes that may no longer exist, potentially leading to a lifetime of debt."

3. Lack of Adequate Support: Chowdhry criticized the limited response from West Lothian Council, which has primarily offered advice rather than direct financial assistance. He urged the Council to utilize Section 71 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 to provide necessary financial support.

4. Critical Questions for the Council:

   • Surveyors and Assessments: Residents need clear timelines for when surveyors will be available to assess RAAC-affected homes. Immediate action is needed to address the current delays.
   • Structural Engineers: The blockage caused by disputes between structural engineers and their underwriters must be resolved swiftly.
   • Sector-Specific Guidance: Homeowners need clear, actionable safety guidelines rather than ambiguous assurances.
   • Insurance and Mortgage Issues: Immediate measures are needed to address insurance cancellations and ensure mortgage support.
   • Government Funding: Transparency is required regarding the government's decision-making process on funding, as well as the Council's contingency plans if funding is not provided.
   • Avoiding Past Mistakes: Lessons must be learned from other areas to prevent similar pitfalls in West Lothian.
   • Communication with Insurers: The Council must provide timely updates on discussions with the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

A Call for Immediate Action

Chowdhry concluded his speech with a powerful appeal: "The residents of West Lothian need more than promises—they need concrete action. The time for decisive leadership is now. We urge West Lothian Council and the Scottish Government to step up and address this crisis with the urgency and seriousness it demands. This is about more than just repairing homes; it's about restoring hope and securing the future for our community."

The UK RAAC Campaign Group calls on all relevant authorities to provide the financial, emotional, and practical support that residents urgently need. The situation requires immediate and effective action to prevent further distress and ensure the safety and stability of affected families.

After the meeting, Mr. Chowdhry spoke with Karen McMahon as several protestors raised two new concerns just before his speech, which he couldn't address fully within the allotted 5 minutes. One concern was regarding Housing Minister Paul McLennan's recent opening of new affordable rental homes at Ferrylea in Forres, funded by over £4.5 million from the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme. While the project aims to address local housing needs, it has sparked frustration among West Lothian and other RAAC-affected homeowners, who feel neglected as they continue to face structural defects, financial hardship, and insufficient support. They are calling on the Scottish Government to redirect some of these funds to assist those affected by RAAC, and Mr. Chowdhry is urging West Lothian Council to raise this issue with Mr. McLennan.

IMAGE:  Actual damage to one of the evacuated RAAC homes that Almond Housing intend to use for temporary housing.

The second concern came from the Chestnut Grove Homeowners Group, who expressed worry about decanted homes being used for temporary housing for families affected by RAAC on 10-day lets during roof repairs. This process is expected to take about 18 months, despite visible building defects, including crumbling RAAC. Supporting evidence has been sent to Almond Housing, raising questions about the safety and suitability of these accommodations. Mr. Chowdhry briefly mentioned this in his summing up, hoping it would prompt a health and safety investigation. He has since forwarded both concerns to Ms. McMahon and hopes that councillors will consider these issues.

Mr. Chowdhry expressed serious concerns about Almond Housing's approach to the RAAC crisis, highlighting the flaws in their current strategy. He stated, "Families have been decanted from council homes they've lived in and invested in, whether for health and safety reasons or as part of a fiscal strategy. You cannot use evacuated properties to temporarily house tenants from other homes undergoing RAAC removal without facing questions about the logic and honesty behind these actions. Local residents have already provided evidence to West Lothian of crumbling ceilings and walls in these empty RAAC properties being used as temporary accommodation, which poses a significant risk to life and is a serious health and safety concern. This reckless process must end.

Ashleigh Mitchell, Chair of the Craigshill Homeowners Group, is concerned that properties on her estate are 100 percent RAAC from the ground up. The homeowners believe they have a claim for "a home for a home" as their homes are not repairable. They are hoping that a contractor will buy land and rebuild it for them, and they are looking to the Council to broker this deal, similar to the arrangement made for the 10 brave residents of Deans South who were helped by the generosity of Springfield Homes.

Additionally, they want any new development at Chestnut Grove to be included in the Scottish Government's NPF4 - National Planning Framework 4. The homeowners are willing to give up their current properties and wait for new builds if a project of that scale can be enacted for them.