The UK RAAC Campaign Group recently issued an open letter to the Scottish Housing Minister, Renfrewshire Council leadership, and the housing associations responsible for RAAC-affected homes in Linwood and Erskine.
That letter was sent because residents had already endured months of uncertainty, cancelled engagement, and an absence of clear financial pathways. It set out — body by body — where responsibility lies and why continued delay is placing hundreds of families at risk.
After that open letter was sent, Bridgewater Housing Association issued a written response to the UK RAAC Campaign Group.
Rather than resolving concerns, Bridgewater’s reply confirmed many of the very issues highlighted in the open letter.
This blog explains what the response says, what it does not say, and why residents remain deeply concerned.
Why the Open Letter Was Sent First
Before Bridgewater’s response, residents were already facing:
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No buy-back or acquisition offer
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No repair costs or timelines
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No clarity on payment expectations
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No explanation of what happens if homeowners cannot pay
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No coordinated leadership between council, housing associations, and government
The open letter was therefore sent to force transparency and accountability, and to make clear that:
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Only councils can enable voluntary acquisitions
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Housing associations cannot access AHSP funding without council sponsorship
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Meetings without the council present are inherently futile
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The UK RAAC Campaign Group must be included to represent affected homeowners
It was an escalation based on lived reality — not speculation.
Bridgewater’s Response: What It Confirms
In its reply, Bridgewater acknowledged the distress residents are experiencing, stating:
“We fully recognise the anxiety and uncertainty that RAAC issues are causing for tenants and homeowners of Bridgewater HA, and we share your commitment to finding sustainable solutions.”
However, the substance of the letter confirms several critical points raised in the open letter.
Buy-Backs: No Viable Route Offered
Bridgewater stated clearly that it cannot offer a buy-back programme without full government funding:
“Without such funding, options like buy-back schemes are not viable for a small housing association like Bridgewater, as these would require 100% government support.”
They further confirmed:
“Bridgewater does not have access to any funding for a buy-back programme specifically for RAAC-affected homes.”
This directly supports the Campaign Group’s position that housing associations alone cannot solve this crisis, and that council and government involvement is essential.
ROTS: A Limited and Uncertain Option
The only mechanism referenced by Bridgewater was the Rental Off The Shelf (ROTS) scheme, which they themselves described as highly constrained:
“[ROTS] is limited due to allocation of limited funds via Renfrewshire Council, requires owners to approach the Association, requires us to offer Home Report valuation, and is subject to Government approval.”
This confirms that:
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there is no guaranteed buy-back
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funding is capped and council-controlled
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homeowners bear the risk of rejection
Homeowners face low offers on homebuyer reports, reflecting depressed market values worsened by RAAC.
Meetings: Acknowledged Delays, No Urgency
Bridgewater disputed that meetings had been cancelled, but confirmed they have been delayed:
“Meetings have been delayed as we were awaiting the outcome of the scope of works and pricing… these meetings will take place in early 2026 once we have full information.”
They also confirmed they would not meet residents within 14 days, stating:
“This will not be within 14 days, as the scope of works has only recently been agreed.”
For residents living under potentially unsafe roofs, this offers little reassurance.
Costs, Payment Plans, and Timelines: Still Unknown
Bridgewater explicitly confirmed:
“At present, no costings are available. Until these are confirmed, we cannot provide details on payment plans, financial models, or timelines for repairs.”
This means that even after the open letter and Bridgewater’s response, homeowners still do not know:
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how much repairs will cost
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whether they will be expected to pay
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how payments would be structured
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or when works would begin
What Remains Unanswered
Critically, Bridgewater’s response does not address:
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what happens if a homeowner fails financial probity checks
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what happens if a homeowner cannot afford roof works
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what happens in cases of default
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whether enforcement action could follow
These unanswered questions go to the heart of residents’ fear — and were central to the open letter.
Why the Open Letter Still Stands
Bridgewater’s response does not undermine the open letter — it reinforces it.
It confirms that:
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housing associations cannot fund solutions alone
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councils must be active partners
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government leadership is essential
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delay has real human consequences
Until all parties come together — with Renfrewshire Council present, government engaged, and residents represented — this crisis will continue unresolved.
Conclusion: The Problem Is Now Fully Evidenced
The open letter was sent because residents needed answers.
Bridgewater’s response shows those answers still do not exist.
Courtesy has been shown. Constraints have been explained.
But solutions remain absent.
The UK RAAC Campaign Group will continue to press for coordinated, funded, and humane action — because homeowners cannot wait indefinitely while responsibility is debated.
Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:
"Bridgewater’s response offers homeowners nothing but uncertainty. The ROTS scheme is limited, council- and government-controlled, and provides no guarantees. What’s needed is a coordinated response between the Government, the council, and housing associations — not delays — because every day that passes puts residents at greater risk. This crisis is time-pressing, and our open letter warned exactly why urgent action is essential."
The fight for justice continues—but today, we move one step closer.
📧 Email: wilson@aasecurity.co.uk
📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/WilsonChowdhry
#RAACScandal #Petition2113 #ScottishParliament #SupportRAACVictims #EndTheSilence
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