Hope on the Horizon: Advocating for Relief for RAAC-Affected Homeowners and Tenants

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Politicians are beginning to acknowledge the severity of the RAAC crisis, offering a glimmer of hope for affected homeowners and tenants.

Hannah Chowdhry, Chair of the Torry Community RAAC Campaign, received an email from MSP Michael Marra on April 3, 2024. In the email, Marra's caseworker referred to previous correspondence regarding RAAC in properties in Balnagask. The email included a response from the Scottish Government, penned by Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice. While Somerville reiterated homeowner responsibility, she hinted at potential progress in the final paragraphs. Somerville mentioned ongoing discussions about long-term solutions and collaboration with Aberdeen City Council, acknowledging the strain on the Capital Budget but expressing hope for additional funding. 

We feel this news should spark optimism among campaigners, we urge you all to continue advocating for a national fund to aid affected homeowners and tenants.  Please sign our petition (here)

In her email, MSP Somerville, wrote:

"The long-term options available to homeowners will be considered as part of the council’s ongoing options appraisal for the site. This will consider the best approach to remove or remediate the high risk RAAC that has been identified. As part of this, the Scottish Government will continue to work closely with Aberdeen City Council to understand the costs involved. However, as you are aware, the Capital Budget is under considerable strain and remains overcommitted in this and future years. There are no available funds to put towards a national pot of money for RAAC remediation. Whilst the Chancellor has committed to spend what was necessary, and we would expect to see new funding made available, this has not been forthcoming. Ultimately, it will be for local authorities to determine what support is available to homeowners, taking into account local priorities."

"We have asked Aberdeen City Council to keep Ministers up to date with the progress of their options appraisal, to ensure that we understand early what impact this will have on homeowners. We have also urged them to keep elected members fully up to date with progress on their re-homing plan and options appraisal, so that you can be assured that your constituents are receiving the necessary support."

We choose to remain hopeful as discussions have indicated the possibility of a national fund, despite its initial rejection. The Chancellor's commitment to spending what is necessary and the expectation of additional funding yet to be realized are reasons for optimism. We must maintain hope that the Chancellor will make a positive decision. We urge everyone to redouble their efforts in advocating for the approval of a national fund to support homeowners and tenants affected by this crisis.

On the same day, Hannah Chowdhry received an email from Cllr Michael Kusznir. Kusznir shared information about Liam Kerr MSP's Parliamentary Question response regarding RAAC and Home Reports. Additionally, Kusznir informed Chowdhry about his Notice of Motion on RAAC and support for private owners, scheduled for April's Full Council meeting on April 17, 2024. This correspondence proves invaluable as it provides an opportunity for local input into allocating public funds to assist struggling homeowners and tenants. Hannah Chowdhry, along with her father Wilson Chowdhry, has applied for a deputation to ensure that new information is shared and to emphasize the critical need for support for homeowners and private tenants, both of whom have been overlooked in early decision-making processes. Additionally, they aim to advocate for expanding provisions to aid struggling council tenants.

We share the positive contents of Cllr Kusznir's email:

"I have undernoted the response that my Party colleague Liam Kerr MSP received in relation to a further Parliamentary Question on RAAC, specifically in relation to Home Reports. This reiterates my experience of speaking with surveyors who certainly consider that they will have no liability.

"I have also lodged a Notice of Motion on RAAC and the support available for private owners for April's Full Council meeting. It is on 17 April 2024."

We hope that people will join us for a protest outside Marischal College from 9am on April 17th. Anyone in attendance can then join us in the public gallery, allowing us to truly make our presence felt.

Wilson Chowdhry a member of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:

"I hope no one has overlooked the crucial point conveyed by the Scottish Government in MSP Somerville's response.

"She has unequivocally stated that individual councils will determine the extent of support available to homeowners, private tenants, and council tenants.

"Should a national fund materialize, it will allocate resources based on each local authority's proposals. This is a point I've emphasized in previous blog posts and public meetings.

"RAAC-affected individuals must urge their councils to make the right decisions. Claims of unavailable funding are merely a diversion.

"Funding can be secured later; it's important to remember that no council can declare bankruptcy, and governments will intervene when deficits become unmanageable."

Hannah Chowdhry is also reaching out to the Lord Provost and Convener of Aberdeen City Council, Cllr David Cameron, seeking his support for our campaign.