Hirwaun RAAC Safety Emergency: Open Letter & Petition for Senedd Consideration

Below is our open letter to the Welsh Government, urgently requesting financial support for elderly homeowners living in RAAC-affected properties. These vulnerable residents have been overlooked, while politicians deflect responsibility by citing an inadequate and inapplicable grant scheme offered by the local council.

If you are a Welsh resident, please show your support by signing our petition to the Welsh Government: https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246606

OPEN LETTER

To:
Rt Hon Eluned Morgan MS
First Minister for Wales
Welsh Government
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1NA

Rt Hon Jayne Bryant MS
Minister for Housing
Welsh Government
Cardiff Bay

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Re: RAAC-Affected Homes in Hirwaun – Inaccuracies in Welsh Government Letter Dated 22 April 2025

Dear First Minister and Minister for Housing,

I am writing this open letter in response to a letter received by Lesley Lewis, leader of the CYMRU RAAC Campaign Group, from Mr. Richard Baker, Deputy Director of the Place Division at Welsh Government, dated 22 April 2025 (click here). The letter sought to address the deeply concerning issue of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in homes at the Gower Estate in Hirwaun.

As Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, I appreciate the Welsh Government’s engagement on this critical matter and its recognition of the emotional and financial burden RAAC has placed on residents. However, it is important to correct several inaccuracies and misrepresentations in the original response that risk obscuring the reality faced by affected homeowners.

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1. Grants Are Inaccessible to Private Landlords

The letter references grant schemes intended to assist owner-occupiers, yet private landlords — who are equally responsible for homes with RAAC and whose tenants are directly impacted — are completely excluded from these schemes. These landlords have no access to support, despite the urgency of repairs required for tenant safety.

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2. Most Homeowners Are Disqualified by Restrictive Criteria

The eligibility conditions for Maintenance Repair Assistance and Renovation Grant Assistance — as outlined in the annex to Mr. Baker’s letter — are so restrictive that they exclude the vast majority of RAAC-affected homeowners at the Gower Estate. Reasons for ineligibility include:

• Not receiving the specific benefits required;
• Not meeting the five-year occupancy threshold;
• Exceeding equity or savings thresholds.

To demonstrate the real-world impact of these criteria, the CYMRU RAAC Campaign Group conducted a local survey. The results are revealing: out of 10 respondents, only 2 homeowners potentially qualify for any grant assistance.

Summary of Survey Results:

Date	5+ Years in Home	Benefits Received	Likely Eligible
14/05/2025	Yes	None	❌
14/05/2025	Yes	None	❌
14/05/2025	Yes	Council Tax Reduction, UC	✅
14/05/2025	No	None	❌
14/05/2025	Yes	None	❌
14/05/2025	Yes	None	❌
14/05/2025	Yes	Pension Credit Guarantee	✅
15/05/2025	Yes	None	❌
16/05/2025	Yes	None	❌
21/05/2025	Yes	None	❌

This evidence underscores that while grant schemes may exist on paper, they fail to address the needs of real residents who are living in unsafe and deteriorating conditions.

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3. Urgent Need for Tailored Government Support

Given the gravity and urgency of the RAAC crisis, we call on the Welsh Government to take the following actions:

• Establish a dedicated financial support scheme for RAAC-affected private homeowners and landlords;
• Broaden existing eligibility criteria to reflect the urgent structural risks, not just means-tested poverty;
• Introduce interest-free loans or remediation grants regardless of benefit status;
• Coordinate with the UK Government and other devolved nations to build a UK-wide RAAC housing response strategy.

The grant criteria, as outlined in Mr. Baker’s letter, may appear reasonable in policy terms, but they fail catastrophically in practice. The vast majority of residents at the Gower Estate are elderly and extremely vulnerable, many of whom are already experiencing heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and isolation as a direct result of the deteriorating state of their homes and the uncertainty surrounding their futures. These are individuals who have worked their entire lives, only to find themselves trapped in unsafe housing and excluded from support mechanisms intended to protect them.

In addition, every private landlord and homeowner on the estate purchased these ex-council properties in good faith, completely unaware that RAAC had been used in the roof construction — a decision made as a cost-saving measure during their original build. This critical information was never disclosed during the sale of the properties. Despite the existence of early warnings about RAAC as far back as 1996, and some reports indicating concerns arose even during the construction phase, no effective action was taken to flag these properties as high risk, leaving successive buyers exposed to life-changing financial and structural risks through no fault of their own.

It is also important to highlight that the Gower Estate is located in one of the most deprived areas in Wales, as identified by the national Indices of Multiple Deprivation. Residents here already face severe disadvantages in terms of health outcomes, household income, and access to essential services. The sudden and overwhelming financial burden now placed on them — whether for essential structural surveys, emergency accommodation, or full-scale roof remediation — is entirely unaffordable for most. Without urgent intervention, this crisis threatens to push many families and pensioners into bankruptcy or homelessness. The weight of this burden is not just financial but deeply personal, with individuals facing the devastating prospect of losing homes they have lived in for decades, in communities they helped to build and sustain.

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We respectfully request a meeting with the Welsh Government to discuss a pathway to more inclusive, practical and compassionate support, and would welcome the participation of members of both the UK RAAC Campaign Group and the CYMRU RAAC Campaign Group.

Sincerely,

Wilson Chowdhry
Chairman, UK RAAC Campaign Group

RAAC Homeowners in Dundee Deserve Urgent Action – But Are Still Being Ignored!

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

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS  (CLICK HERE), OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE) AND OFFICIAL UK GOVERNMENT PETITION (HERE).

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

Watch the historic moment as the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee officially backs the UK RAAC Campaign Group’s petition—a groundbreaking step in our fight for justice and accountability! (here)

Please complete our impact survey (here) 

On 12th May 2025, Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, delivered a powerful deputation to Dundee City Council’s Neighbourhood Regeneration, Housing & Estate Management Committee (NRHEMC). Representing both council tenants and private homeowners affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), Mr Chowdhry urged councillors to take meaningful, immediate action to address this escalating housing crisis.  Read full transcript of Mr Chowdhry's deputation (here)

For months, Mr Chowdhry had been requesting to speak on behalf of affected residents, but was repeatedly denied on the grounds that RAAC was not on the committee’s agenda. Only after consistent pressure since October 2024 was the issue finally tabled, allowing him to speak directly to the committee.

Summary of Key Requests Made to the Committee:

In his deputation, Mr Chowdhry presented a detailed account of the struggles faced by residents, including:

1. RAAC Must Be Recognised as a Housing Crisis
   Councillors were asked to formally acknowledge RAAC in private homes as a critical housing emergency, and to keep it on the committee’s agenda for ongoing action.

2. Urgent Commitment to Transparent Surveys
   The Council was urged to ensure all suspected RAAC properties undergo expert-led surveys, fully compliant with Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) guidance—not simply visual inspections.

3. Immediate Financial Relief via the Scheme of Assistance
   Mr Chowdhry highlighted existing legislative tools that could be deployed now, such as grants, missed share options, and sundry debt recovery loans, especially for low-income owners in blocks with shared roofs.

4. Clarification on Grants and Support Schemes
   Residents need clear communication regarding whether any Council-administered grants or financial support are available. Conflicting statements by councillors and officers are adding to residents' confusion and despair.

5. Advocacy for a National Remediation Fund
   Dundee City Council was asked to take a leadership role in lobbying the Scottish Government—or UK Government—for a national remediation fund that includes private homes, not just public buildings.

6. Ongoing Access to Councillors and Deputations
   Residents must not be silenced. Mr Chowdhry called for permanent, unbureaucratic channels for deputations and communication between RAAC homeowners and local councillors.

A Deafening Silence: No Answers, No Accountability

Despite the urgency of the matter and the detailed nature of the deputation, councillors offered no response—neither during nor after the meeting—to any of the questions raised. This silence was deeply concerning.

Mr. Chowdhry posed a series of clear and vital questions, none of which have received a response:

• Will the Council commit to covering the full cost of relocation for affected tenants?

• Why are residents receiving contradictory information about financial assistance?
  Ray Low, the Council’s Housing Asset Service Manager, stated in writing that Dundee City Council offers grants of up to 40% for RAAC-related works. Yet, in a conversation with a local resident, Councillor Kevin Keenan directly contradicted this, claiming no such grant system exists. Which is correct?

• Has the Council engaged with mortgage providers and insurers to determine whether the proposed support-deck solutions will restore mortgage eligibility and insurance coverage?

• Will Dundee City Council commit to full structural surveys in line with the Institution of Structural Engineers' guidance—including deflection measurement, crack logging, and hammer testing—rather than relying solely on visual inspections?

• Will RAAC panels be fully replaced, rather than propped up with temporary support measures?
  While such interim fixes may reduce the time flats remain vacant—clearly in the Council’s interest—they come at a similar cost to full replacement, yet offer no long-term restoration of mortgageability, insurance coverage, or property value.

• What concrete steps will the Council take to help homeowners recover their property’s value, secure insurance, and access mortgages once again?

These are fundamental questions affecting the financial and emotional security of hundreds of households. To date, not a single one has been answered.

None of these questions were addressed.

Misrepresentation and Missed Opportunities

Worse still, some councillors later made erroneous public remarks. 

During the meeting, Mr Chowdhry strongly criticised the Council’s preference for a support-deck solution—installing a structural deck beneath existing RAAC panels. He warned that this approach may fail to satisfy mortgage lenders or insurance providers and questioned whether the Council had taken any steps to confirm its acceptability with these key stakeholders. He cited the troubling response a local resident received from Ray Low, Housing Asset Service Manager, who dismissed the concern, stating: “I would also be interested to see the statement from NatWest stating that a mortgage would not be offered on a property with a support deck below a RAAC roof, as I can find no evidence of this online.”

Rather than investigating the issue, Mr Low deflected responsibility back onto already distressed homeowners—exemplifying a worrying lack of due diligence and support from the Council on a matter of critical financial impact.

Mr Chowdhry explained that homeowners remain unconvinced that such measures will restore property value, mortgage eligibility, or insurance coverage. As many have described it, the support-deck solution is little more than a wasteful sticking plaster.

When this concern was raised, Cllr Flynn deflected by requesting a technical opinion from a council officer—an apparent attempt to sidestep the core issue. The officer responded, “IStructE guidance provides various forms of remediation. A full structural deck supporting structure is one of them.” This reply focused narrowly on technical acceptability, entirely ignoring the financial consequences for affected homeowners. It offered no insight into how the Council would address mortgage ineligibility, insurance refusal, or collapsing property values.

That Cllr Flynn accepted this superficial answer without challenge underscored a deeper problem: a bureaucratic indifference and growing disconnect between councillors, council officers, and the very communities they are supposed to support.

Cllr Keenan entirely overlooked the fact that a council officer had misled RAAC-affected homeowners into believing they were eligible for grants covering up to 40% of remedial works. Instead of addressing this serious misinformation, he targeted Mr Chowdhry—who had simply requested clarity and condemned the confusion within the Council. Shockingly, Cllr Keenan even laughed as he described how residents had approached him about grant funding following Mr Ray Low’s misleading email, while dismissively asserting that no such grants existed. In a condescending tone, he added that he “hoped Mr Chowdhry was listening,” despite the fact that Mr Chowdhry had already publicly acknowledged that no grant scheme was currently in place.

Cllr Keenan went on to assert that writing to the Housing Minister would be “a chance to help everybody affected in this city,” despite being fully aware that similar letters in the past have been ignored. Notably, he failed to propose writing to the UK Government—a glaring omission, given that Mr Chowdhry has consistently called for both the Scottish and UK Governments to be held accountable. Even Cllr Flynn, who seconded the motion, acknowledged Mr Chowdhry’s stance on the need to pressure both administrations.

While the Convener ultimately agreed to request a meeting with the Housing Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, the motion in its entirety was not passed—undermined by the failure to include the UK Government in the Council’s advocacy efforts.

Had councillors simply asked Mr Chowdhry a question during the meeting, these misunderstandings could have been cleared up on the spot. The refusal to engage with a speaker offering both data and workable solutions is not just disappointing—it is a failure of public duty.

Late to the Table—But Still Welcome

Following the meeting, a motion was finally put forward for the Council t to request a meeting with the Housing Minister Paul Mclennan MSPand the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP to discuss the RAAC crises. While this step is welcome, it is long overdue.

Mr Chowdhry had already prompted similar actions from Aberdeen City Council back in November 2023. Most other Scottish councils made such representations over a year ago. Dundee is trailing behind, despite being home to hundreds of RAAC-affected properties.

That the Council has only now agreed to make this representation—after months of emails and ignored offers of assistance including Mr Chowdhry drafting and sharing a motion—is an indictment of its sluggish response. No credit has been given to Mr Chowdhry or the campaigners who persistently raised this issue, but the shift is a small victory for residents nonetheless.

Conclusion

The crisis caused by RAAC in Dundee’s private housing is urgent and growing. Affected homeowners are trapped in unsafe homes with no financial support, no clear communication, and no path forward. The deputation delivered on 12th May laid out a clear roadmap for action—but councillors failed to engage, failed to answer, and failed to lead.

As Dundee belatedly joins other councils in advocating for national funding, we must hope that this is the beginning—not the end—of serious action. But residents should not have to beg for attention. They deserve answers. They deserve support. And they deserve better.

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On 5th March 2025, a draft motion was submitted to all Dundee City Councillors by Mr Chowdhry, along with a request for it to be added to the agenda of a Full Council meeting. Despite the urgency and seriousness of the issue, not a single councillor responded:

Proposed Motion on RAAC:

This Council acknowledges the significant safety concerns posed by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in properties and recognizes its duty to safeguard residents living in affected homes.

The Council resolves to:

1. Undertake a comprehensive audit of all council-owned buildings to identify the presence of RAAC, prioritizing residential properties and public buildings such as schools and community centers.
2. Develop and publish a clear action plan with timelines for inspecting and, where necessary, repairing or replacing RAAC in council properties, ensuring transparency and accountability.
3. Establish a dedicated RAAC support fund to assist affected tenants and homeowners, providing advice, temporary accommodation where necessary, and financial aid for emergency repairs.
4. Engage with the Scottish Government and UK Government to secure additional funding to address the financial implications of RAAC remediation.
5. Facilitate ongoing communication with residents through regular updates, dedicated points of contact, and opportunities for public participation in decision-making processes.

The Council also commits to holding a dedicated public meeting or deputation session on RAAC, inviting all affected stakeholders to participate and voice their concerns.

Hirwaun Residents Meet UK RAAC Campaign Chair to Discuss Action Against Crumbling Concrete Crisis

Stronger Together: Hirwaun RAAC Homeowners Explore Forming a Constituted Group in Alliance with the UK RAAC Campaign Group

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

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS  (CLICK HERE), OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE) AND OFFICIAL UK GOVERNMENT PETITION (HERE).

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

Watch the historic moment as the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee officially backs the UK RAAC Campaign Group’s petition—a groundbreaking step in our fight for justice and accountability! (here)

Please complete our impact survey (here) 

On Saturday 10th May 2025, Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, met with 15 local residents representing 10 households affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in Hirwaun. The meeting, held in response to limited engagement from Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council, aimed to support residents in organising a more effective response to the growing RAAC housing crisis. Mr Chowdhry opened the meeting with the following statement:

"Thank you for joining us at this meeting. We’re here because 77 homes on your estate—60 managed by Trivallis and 17 privately owned—were found to contain RAAC, a dangerous and now discredited building material.

Over a year has passed since this discovery, yet many of you still live under unsafe roofs with no clear solution. Trivallis proposed a £23,000 “safety deck system,” but it has since come to light that this is not a permanent fix—and the contractor used is not a RAAC or roofing specialist. Meanwhile, financial aid from the Welsh Government is limited, and many homeowners are left with unmanageable costs.

You’ve had little to no meaningful communication from Trivallis or Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, and formal attempts to raise our concerns—including a request for a deputation—have been dismissed. Many residents are experiencing severe mental and financial strain, and are being forced to live in uncertainty.

This meeting will provide a space to support one another, exchange vital information, and unite in the push for permanent, safe, and affordable solutions. Together, we will make our voices heard and fight for the justice your community deserves."

During the meeting, Mr Chowdhry presented the benefits of forming a constituted residents' group. He explained:

“Councils often prioritize constituted groups over individuals because constituted groups offer a formal structure and can represent broader community interests, making them easier to engage with and hold accountable. This is especially true when dealing with grant applications, planning applications, or other matters where a formal representative can provide a clearer and more reliable point of contact.”

Mr Chowdhry offered the support of the UK RAAC Campaign Group as an associate member, clarifying:

“An associate member is someone who is affiliated with a group or organisation but does not have full membership status. They may support the group’s aims, attend meetings, and contribute in various ways, but typically do not have voting rights or decision-making powers.”

Local residents welcomed the advice and expressed interest in forming a group but requested time to consider the structure and responsibilities before moving forward. A recommendation was made to contact RCT Interlink on 01443 846200 for further guidance and support with constitution templates. Further research into contracts and legal obligations was also advised before any formal steps are taken.

Key campaign topics discussed at the meeting included the current UK Government petition spearheaded by the UK RAAC Campaign calling for:

• A UK-wide public inquiry into the RAAC scandal

• Full government funding and reinstatement of First-Time buyer status for affected homeowners

• Protection from discriminatory mortgage and insurance laws

• Inclusion of RAAC-affected homes on a national high-risk property register

• Extension of cladding remediation funds or Affordable Housing funds or creation of a unique new national fund to RAAC-impacted properties

Mr Chowdhry outlined the current petition strategy, including the goal of collecting 5,500 signatures within six weeks for UK-wide consideration. He also proposed starting a separate petition for Wales, requiring just 250 signatures for a committee review and 10,000 for a Senedd debate. Residents discussed the possibility of launching petitions locally outside RCT Council and the Senedd during protests, using posters in local shops and pubs to encourage participation.

The meeting also covered:

• Publicity: Strategies for promoting the group's work via social media, community outreach, and press engagement.

• Deputation: Mr Chowdhry will attempt to initiate direct representation to RCT Council and the Welsh Parliament.

• Next Steps: A future meeting is to be scheduled, with letters being considered as a means of updating tenants who were unable to attend or have not yet been reached through previous communications.

The meeting concluded with a proposal to organise peaceful protests outside Rhondda Cynon Taf Council headquarters and the Welsh Parliament, aimed at raising public awareness and pressuring authorities to take urgent action. Residents will consider the proposal further before confirming whether to proceed.

Lesley Lewis, the de facto leader of the Hirwaun Homeowners Community, whose parents own a property in the area, has voiced her concerns about the age of many affected residents and the lack of support from the local council and the Welsh Government. At the conclusion of the meeting, she stated:

“I’ve arranged a meeting for Thursday so homeowners can vote on whether or not to form a constitution. I’ll also be visiting the homes again tomorrow to encourage those who haven’t yet participated in meetings to join us on Thursday.

We should have a decision by then on whether the community wants to move forward with the proposal discussed yesterday.”

Should have an answer by Thursday as to whether they want to move forward with what was proposed yesterday.

For more information or to support the campaign, please contact:
UK RAAC Campaign Group
wilson@aasecurity.co.uk

RAAC Concerns Raised by Wilson Chowdhry at Angus Council Special Meeting – 8 May 2025

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

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS  (CLICK HERE), OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE) AND OFFICIAL UK GOVERNMENT PETITION (HERE).

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

Watch the historic moment as the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee officially backs the UK RAAC Campaign Group’s petition—a groundbreaking step in our fight for justice and accountability! (here)

Please complete our impact survey (here) 

VIDEO: Wilson delivers his deputation on behalf of RAAC-affected communities in Angus.

Deputation Speech to Angus Council on RAAC-Affected Homeowners

Delivered by Wilson Chowdhry – UK RAAC Campaign Group

Provost, councillors, and officers—thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

We are here to represent not just the 25 council tenants in Milton Street, Monifieth, affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete—RAAC—but also the 49 private homeowners whose lives have been upended by a crisis they neither caused nor could have foreseen.

For council tenants, we are simply seeking a clear assurance that all costs associated with temporary relocation will be fully covered by the Council, and that any remedial works will include restoration of their homes to at least the same condition they were in prior to the intervention.

The council’s report opens with a focus on its own properties. Yet, it is a grave injustice that the private homeowners—those facing the real and immediate threats of bankruptcy and homelessness—are given so little weight in this process. That must change.

Let me speak plainly.
The historical data cited from the BRE and the Institute of Structural Engineers fails to account for key past demolitions: 400 homes in Basildon in the 1990s, and 86 condemned properties in West Lothian in 2004. These events were not minor anomalies—they were early warnings. And those same institutions failed to reflect on or include these precedents in their guidance. This omission renders their advice incomplete and inappropriate for addressing RAAC in ex-council or low-cost housing built in the same era.

The report recommends Option 4: full removal of RAAC and installation of timber flat roofs. Homeowners overwhelmingly support this from a safety standpoint. But it’s simply unaffordable for the majority.

These homes were sold under the Government’s Right to Buy scheme—bought by people who trusted that they were acquiring safe, habitable homes. Many are elderly. They cannot return to work. They cannot access loans. They lack the savings. These properties are in areas highlighted in the Scottish Indices of Deprivation—they were affordable homes, and now, they are unaffordable liabilities.

Angus Council may not have built all of these homes, but today, they lie within your authority. Homeowners pay their council tax here. They engage with your services. That creates both a duty of care and a moral responsibility.

To the Council’s credit, your officers and councillors have engaged with residents more constructively than many other local authorities in Scotland. But residents are dismayed that you have yet to accept any responsibility or offer financial support.

The Scheme of Assistance exists for precisely this kind of crisis. You can create a shared equity model. You can use discretionary grants. You can offer sundry debt recovery loans. I am currently working with Clackmannanshire Council on precisely such a model. There is no legal or policy barrier to you doing the same—only political will.

Moreover, your delay is striking. It has been over a year since RAAC was first identified here, yet progress lags behind every other Scottish council. I urge you to fast-track any feasibility work and to issue accurate contractor quotes rather than desk-based estimates, which—as seen elsewhere—often reduce projected costs by up to 50%.

Additionally, while the council is only now planning to begin engagement with private owners, many homeowners have already confirmed their desire to pursue the timber roof replacement. But they need financial help. A sound plan without financial aid is not a solution—it’s a sentence.

The shared nature of these roofs further underscores the need for unified action. If even one homeowner cannot afford to participate, you risk halting progress for all. This makes it not just a personal but a communal crisis.

And it doesn’t end with Milton Street. There are homeowners in Angus—outside former council stock—who are also discovering RAAC in their homes. One such family in Auchterhouse purchased their house in good faith last year. It had no known council history. Their structural engineer confirmed that the RAAC flooring is now unsafe, beyond its lifespan. Their Home Report surveyor failed to identify it. Their legal claim is unlikely to succeed. They face enormous personal cost with no fault of their own.

So I ask you:

What is being done to identify other RAAC-affected properties in Angus?

What support can be extended to these families, especially those in properties never built by the council but nonetheless trapped in the same nightmare?

Let me end with specific, practical actions this Council can and must take:

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Proposed Actions for Angus Council:

1. Expand the scope of RAAC remediation planning to include the 49 private homeowners in Milton Street and any others identified through further investigation.
2. Seek immediate funding from the Scottish and UK Governments—champion the creation of a national fund that removes all homeowner costs for RAAC remediation.
3. Use the Scheme of Assistance to offer grants, missed share options, or sundry debt recovery loans for private owners—especially those on low incomes or in shared roofs.
4. Release costings for proposed works to the public to ensure transparency, allow informed resident decisions, and build community trust.
5. Provide clear written timelines to all affected residents—council tenants and private owners alike—and maintain open communication channels.
6. Hold a follow-up public meeting with all Milton Street residents before any final decision is taken.
7. Investigate RAAC in other Angus homes, especially properties built privately in the 1950s–80s, and consider what support could be provided to homeowners caught unaware.

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I urge councillors to remember that behind every affected property is a real person or family caught in the midst of a financial and emotional storm. These homeowners are not statistics—they are parents, pensioners, and working people, many of whom are deeply distressed about their future. They are placing their hope in Angus Council to show fairness, compassion, and leadership by delivering a just and workable solution.

This is your moment to lead—to protect not only your tenants but all residents who call Angus home. You have the power, the legal tools, and—if you choose—the compassion, to act justly.

Please do not leave these families behind.

Thank you.

Trapped by RAAC: Hirwaun Homeowners Left to Pay the Price for a National Scandal

Image of an affected home in Hirwaun

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

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS  (CLICK HERE), OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE) AND OFFICIAL UK GOVERNMENT PETITION (HERE).

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

Watch the historic moment as the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee officially backs the UK RAAC Campaign Group’s petition—a groundbreaking step in our fight for justice and accountability! (here)

Please complete our impact survey (here) 

It’s been more than a year since homeowners in the Gower Estate, Hirwaun, were told that their homes were built using a dangerous, obsolete material called Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)—a product which many believe to have had a lifespan of just 30 years. And yet, for many of these residents, life has stood still ever since.

Now, they face an impossible choice: pay tens of thousands of pounds for questionable repairs, or continue living in crumbling homes with no clear end in sight.

77 Homes Affected, But No Permanent Fix in Sight

In February 2024, it was confirmed that 77 homes on the estate were affected by RAAC—60 under Trivallis Housing and 17 privately owned. The housing association offered a so-called “permanent solution” at an average cost of £23,000 per homeowner, but that promise quickly unraveled under scrutiny.

According to Lesley Lewis, Chair of the Cymru RAAC Campaign Group, and direct communication with the contractor CS Phillips, the proposed solution is anything but permanent. The company itself reportedly admitted that continued monitoring of the deck system would be necessary, and that deterioration could still progress—potentially leading to further costly interventions. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council outlining the Trivallis Housing proposal:

"The solution identified by Trivallis is known as a ‘safety deck system’ which involves fitting a structurally designed wooden safety deck under the RAAC panels in the home to make them secure. Trivallis have advised that this solution will permanently stop the risk of the panels collapsing and will protect the roof, electrical wiring, insulation, and decoration in the property.

Their plan has been carefully designed by a team of experts who deal with difficult structural problems. The solution involves installing a wooden safety deck in a specific way to all ceilings on the upper floor of the property. This deck will keep the RAAC panels in place, making sure that they stay permanently stable and secure.

To make the solution even stronger, Trivallis have advised they will also be adding a layer of plywood on top of the deck. This plywood will retain very small pieces of RAAC which might break off from the panels in the future and is an important safety measure to keep the home safe long term.

Trivallis have advised this is a permanent solution and further works to make the RAAC safe will not be required. The solution is likely to make the ceiling height of upper floors slightly lower but will keep the home safe.

You can read the sole response from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council outlining the Trivallis Housing proposal [here].

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:
"I’m deeply concerned that both the Welsh Government and the local authority appear to naively consider the ‘Safety Deck system’ a permanent solution. Any approach that leaves crumbling, dangerous RAAC in place cannot be regarded as long-term. Spending £23,000 on a temporary fix that still traps homeowners as mortgage prisoners and risks making homes uninsurable is not just short-sighted—it’s senseless."

To make matters worse, CS Phillips is not a structural roofing or RAAC specialist but a property developer, leaving serious doubts about whether they are equipped to deal with this crisis at all.

Grant Scheme Unfit for Purpose—and Already Failing Residents

While the Welsh Government has announced grants of up to £35,000—based on pre-existing local authority schemes—these offerings are proving woefully inadequate for the scale and urgency of the RAAC crisis. The primary repair plan leaves homeowners facing a shortfall of around £17,000 each, a sum that is simply out of reach for many, particularly elderly and retired residents.

Worse still, the current grant system appears to be a repurposed stopgap, never intended for a structural emergency of this magnitude. It lacks the flexibility and scope required to address the unique challenges posed by RAAC.

Already, one homeowner has had their application denied, and one other has been advised that they do not meet the rigid eligibility criteria. The reality is clear: these schemes were never built with this scandal in mind—and beleaguered homeowners are paying the price.

This leaves homeowners, many of whom are elderly or retired, trapped in homes that may now be unsellable and uninsurable. And with properties physically linked to neighbouring Trivallis homes, independent remedial work for private owners isn’t even an option.

In a letter to Mrs Lewis, the Weslh Assembly wrote:  

"In respect of private homeowners, I am aware that the Local Authority has engaged homeowners and offered grant assistance via its normal financial support arrangements. It is my understanding that some homeowners have not yet undertaken any surveys to identify the extent of the RAAC within their homes. As a first step I would strongly encourage all homeowners to undertake surveys and to engage with the Local Authority who stand ready to support them and discuss options.

The Welsh Government is not able to offer direct interest free loans to cover costs for works undertaken. There are however a number of funding options, grants and loans available through Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC. I have for completeness under annex A attached a copy of the potential financial support available from the Council.

Welsh Government continue to monitor the situation through engagement with both the Local Authority and Trivallis."

You can read the full letter and explore the complex grant schemes currently available to affected homeowners [here].

A Deafening Silence from Authorities

Residents describe a complete lack of communication from Trivallis and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. Carol Evans, a long-time resident, said she has been left “mentally and physically” unwell by the stress. Malcolm Twigg said "Nobody is helping us at all. We are on our own.” Linda Page put it simply: “We are just sitting in limbo.”

Mr. Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, wrote to the council on 20th May 2024 requesting the opportunity to represent local homeowners through a formal deputation. The response he received was brief and dismissive:

"Dear Mr. Chowdhry,

Thank you for your email below.

We have noted your request and wish to advise you that, as a Council, we have not identified any substantive issues relating to RAAC within the Council estate.

Kind regards,
Julia Nicholls"

The tone and content of the response made it clear that the council was unwilling to engage meaningfully on the issue. Rather than acknowledging the growing crisis faced by residents, the response appeared to downplay concerns and avoid any form of responsibility or involvement.

The human cost of this scandal cannot be overstated. These are not just houses; they are people’s homes, their security, their life savings—and for many, their future.

What Needs to Happen Now

The RAAC scandal is a national failure, but the Gower Estate is its ground zero in Wales. These homeowners are the first to feel the consequences, but they will not be the last unless immediate and meaningful action is taken.

We call on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Trivallis Housing, and the Welsh Government to:

1. Commission independent, expert-led assessments of all remediation plans and the contractors executing them. Residents deserve credible, transparent, and accountable solutions.

2. Reform and expand the grant scheme so no homeowner is excluded due to arbitrary criteria or excessive red tape. This crisis demands tailored support—not recycled funding models.

3. Engage with affected residents transparently and consistently, ensuring they are fully informed and meaningfully consulted at every stage of decision-making.

4. Provide targeted financial relief and dedicated mental health support for residents who have endured prolonged uncertainty, displacement, and psychological strain.

5. Challenge the UK Government to amend the Financial Services Act, so banks are prohibited from charging interest on mortgages for homes rendered uninhabitable by no-fault safety issues like RAAC.

6. Push for the restoration of first-time buyer status for any homeowner whose property is condemned due to systemic construction faults beyond their control.

7. Introduce a UK version of the EU’s General Safety Product Regulation (GSPR)—offering 50-year protections for homeowners impacted by building materials later found to be unsafe. Developers, manufacturers, and governments must be held accountable.

8. Establish a national ‘High Risk Homes Register’ to flag unsafe or defective properties and ensure buyers are protected and properly informed.

These families did not cause this problem—they bought homes in good faith. Now, they are being asked to pay the price for historic construction failings and years of regulatory neglect.

If we don’t act now, the Gower Estate could become a blueprint for how not to manage a national housing emergency.  

Wilson Chowdhry added:

"Many affected homeowners—predominantly those over 70—now face the very real prospects of bankruptcy and homelessness. Securing external lending for these safety works will be almost impossible, especially given that these properties sit in areas ranked among the most deprived. It’s crucial to remember that these homes were sold under the UK Government’s Right to Buy scheme—a policy heralded as a pathway to affordable, equitable homeownership. Those ambitions have been dashed, and it’s time to make good on the promise and put things right."

On Saturday 10th May, Wilson Chowdhry will visit the Hirwaun community to meet with RAAC-affected homeowners and support them in establishing a formally constituted group to advance their campaign for justice and remediation. Mr. Chowdhry has also submitted an online petition to the Welsh Government, which is currently undergoing the approval process.