Dundee Homeowners Launch RAAC Justice Campaign: Petition, Protests, and Community Action

Wilson Chowdhry, Kerry Mackintosh, Wayne Hoskins and Yvette Hoskins

PLEASE JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS FOR UK GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE) and OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE)

WATCH FIRST NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS FEATURE ON RAAC HOUSING CRISES (HERE)

RAAC-affected homeowners in Dundee have launched a campaign for justice after being caught in a financial crisis over the purchase of ex-council homes built in the 1960s with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) roofs. In October, we reported on the struggles of Wayne Hoskins, who received only a single letter from the council notifying him that his roof contained RAAC. The council then left him to address the issue alone. When Mr. Hoskins later attempted to sell his home, he discovered that traditional estate agents wouldn’t list it, and even after lowering the price by £30,000 for auction, he was still unable to sell due to mortgage companies refusing loans to potential buyers.

Wilson and Kerry went door-to-door, meeting with affected homeowners to hear their concerns firsthand.

Wayne Hoskins reached out to the UK RAAC Campaign Group, where Chairman Wilson Chowdhry highlighted Mr. Hoskins’ case, drawing interest from The Dundee Courier, who published an article outlining his challenges. Mr. Chowdhry has since reached out to Dundee City Council multiple times to request a deputation, but the council has not prioritized RAAC as an agenda item, effectively blocking public discussion. He also encouraged Mr. Hoskins to request that his local councillors introduce an agenda item on RAAC, but there has been no progress to date.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chowdhry advised Mr. Hoskins to create a Facebook group, "Dundee RAAC Campaign Group," which has attracted nearly 200 homeowners and tenants facing similar issues. Many of these supporters have signed a petition Mr. Chowdhry and his daughter Hannah submitted on the Scottish Parliament website, which has now surpassed 1,600 signatures.

The petition has three principal demands:

1. Establish a national fund to support homeowners and tenants affected by RAAC.
2. Initiate a public inquiry into the actions of councils and housing associations regarding RAAC.
3. Enact or update legislation to hold developers, councils, and housing associations accountable for using substandard materials, mandate full disclosure of risks, and make surveyors and solicitors liable for undiscovered defects.

The petition is set to be reviewed by the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, November 13, and could lead to one of the following outcomes:

• A request for written information from the Scottish Government, local authorities, and relevant organizations.
• An invitation for the petitioner to share personal stories directly with the committee.
• A referral of the petition to another committee for in-depth review.
• Recommendations for the Scottish Government to establish a financial support fund for RAAC homeowners.
• A debate in the Scottish Parliament Chamber to raise awareness and build further support.

Notably, the petition has received support letters from two MSPs—a rare endorsement on the Scottish Parliament petition site. Murdo Fraser MSP (Mid Scotland and Fife) and Edward Mountain MSP (Highlands and Islands) have backed the petition, and Liam Kerr MSP is expected to discuss it during the hearing.

On Saturday, November 9, Wilson Chowdhry and Kerry Mackintosh from the UK RAAC Campaign visited Wayne and his wife Yvette to plan a protest and a community meeting. The protest is scheduled for Saturday, November 23, at City Square, outside Caird Hall, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the first meeting of the Dundee RAAC Campaign Group at Downfield Mains Church, 39 Haldane Crescent, Dundee, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. After the meeting, Wilson and Kerry visited all local RAAC-affected properties in Mr. Hoskins' area, providing residents with updates and details about their campaign. Mr. Chowdhry has since obtained official permission from local police to hold the protest.

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:  

"Homeowners like Wayne Hoskins have been left abandoned, with properties they can’t sell and debts they can’t escape," said Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group. "The councils and government must take responsibility for the financial and emotional turmoil the RAAC scandal has caused. We’re determined to fight for a national fund and real accountability for everyone impacted by RAAC across Scotland."

The UK RAAC Campaign Group is also inviting supporters to join a protest outside the Scottish Parliament on 13th November 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and to sign their online petitions (here) and (here).