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Nearly three years after being forced from their homes due to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), homeowners in Tillicoultry are still trapped in uncertainty—paying mortgages on properties they cannot live in, while waiting for decisions that never seem to come.
For Fiona, one of the affected residents, the situation is becoming critical:
“I am worried. My current mortgage fixed rate is ending… what this means is my mortgage payments are going to increase considerably. The only option I can see is staying on the Standard Variable Rate and trying to meet the payments.”
Like many others, she faces a sharp rise in monthly costs at a time when she is already financially stretched.
“The costs of living are so high right now and costs of everything are increasing and increasing… it’s very disheartening.”
Almost Three Years of Displacement and Delay
The crisis in Tillicoultry began when RAAC—now widely recognised as a structural risk—was identified in residential properties, leading to homeowners being effectively ousted from their homes for safety reasons.
Since then:
- Many properties have remained empty and uninhabitable
- Homeowners have continued paying mortgages and insurance
- Families have had to secure alternative accommodation, often at additional cost
Despite the severity of the situation, a long-term resolution has yet to be finalised.
Engagement Without Outcome
There has been no shortage of discussions.
- In October 2025, a meeting took place involving residents, council officers, councillors, and the Scottish Government. At that meeting, government representatives stated they would provide as much assistance as possible and explore financial flexibility, including through the Affordable Homes Supply Programme.
- Prior to that meeting, the council confirmed it would pursue funding through this programme, which could support redevelopment and help deliver new council housing.
- In November 2025, during a further meeting with campaign representatives, a senior government housing official indicated that any application for assistance would be expedited.
More recently, council officials suggested that discussions with the Scottish Government were at an advanced stage, with indications that a grant agreement could be close.
And yet—no confirmation has been provided.
The Grant That Could Change Everything
At the centre of the impasse is a potential government grant.
If approved, it could:
- Enable the council to renovate or redevelop affected properties
- Convert former private homes into council housing stock
- Crucially, allow the council to offer fairer acquisition prices to homeowners
Without this funding, current voluntary acquisition offers remain significantly below what many homeowners owe on their mortgages.
This is why residents have been reluctant to proceed.
Fiona explains the dilemma clearly:
“I feel stuck because I can’t accept what they are offering me as it doesn’t cover my mortgage but I can’t just keep waiting indefinitely either.”
A Good Faith Effort—Met With Silence
In an effort to move things forward, campaigners encouraged homeowners to confirm whether they would be willing to sell under an acquisition scheme—something seen as necessary to unlock government funding tied to increasing council housing supply.
Residents engaged with that process in good faith.
Council representatives also indicated that homeowners could proceed with sales immediately and potentially benefit from additional funding later if a grant materialised.
But for many, that is simply too risky. Accepting a below-market offer without certainty of further support could leave them in long-term debt.
Meanwhile, attempts to obtain clear updates have stalled. Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, reports that repeated calls and emails to the council have gone unanswered. He has been seeking a definitive update from Kevin Wells, the Strategic Director responsible for the process. Council officers have stated that only Mr Wells can provide clarity; however, no response has been forthcoming, leaving homeowners without the answers they urgently need.
Financial Pressure Is Mounting
The delay is not just administrative—it is actively worsening people’s financial situations.
Homeowners are:
- Paying mortgages on empty homes
- Covering insurance and other property-related costs
- Facing rising interest rates and expiring fixed-term deals
For Fiona, the situation is reaching a tipping point:
“There must be something we can do?”
A Simple Question That Still Has No Answer
After months of engagement and nearly two years of disruption, homeowners are asking a straightforward question:
Will the grant be approved—yes or no?
They are not asking for vague assurances or ongoing discussions. They are asking for clarity that will allow them to make informed decisions about their futures.
Because without that clarity, they remain trapped:
- Unable to sell without incurring losses
- Unable to wait without facing escalating costs
Time for Transparency
The situation in Tillicoultry highlights the human cost of delay in public decision-making.
Processes take time—but when that time stretches into years, the burden falls on those least able to carry it.
Fiona’s words are not just an expression of personal distress—they are a call for accountability:
“I can’t just keep waiting indefinitely.”
After everything these homeowners have endured, that is not an unreasonable position.
What they need now is not another meeting, or another update that leads nowhere.
They need a clear answer—and they need it now.
Wilson Chowdhry said:
“After months of waiting and repeated attempts to get answers, I have now informed long-standing supporters of these homeowners, including Central FM, and have written an open letter to Clackmannanshire Council and the Scottish Government. We are simply asking for an immediate yes or no on whether this grant will be provided.
These families have been left in limbo for far too long—paying mortgages on homes they cannot live in. They deserve clarity, and they deserve it now.”
The RAAC crisis is not just about concrete—it is about accountability.
And we are far from finished.
📧 Email: wilson@aasecurity.co.uk
📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/WilsonChowdhry
#RAACScandal #Petition2113 #ScottishParliament #SupportRAACVictims #EndTheSilence
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