Latest news with #pre-Raac
Press and Journal
28-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Debate: Torry Raac crisis — who should foot the bill to save Aberdeen homes?
Torry homeowners Trapped by Raac have pressed Aberdeen City Council to consider other options to avoid the demolition of their houses. Of more than 500 Balnagask homes set to be razed to the ground due to unstable 'bubbly' concrete in their roofs, 138 are privately owned. And until this week ACC's only solution to the crisis was to buy-back properties from owner occupiers on a voluntary basis, so the site can be cleared and redeveloped. However, low valuations on their homes – on average £50,000 less than their pre-Raac values – means the local authority has only managed to acquire four of nearly 140 private homes. This week, the Torry Community Raac Campaign and The P&J encouraged councillors to consider other creative solutions. Following intense workshop sessions with council officers, homeowners asked again for fair offers, reflecting pre-Raac crisis prices for their houses. A 'home for a home' scheme where private homeowners can swap their current home for one of ACC's council stock, at a similar value, was also considered. A third option is for those who don't want to leave Balnagask. In this scenario, a cluster of homes could be identified and the roofs could be replaced. However, who will pay for this is where Aberdeen City Council and Torry families differ. ACC wants homeowners to take out low-cost loans to pay for their roof replacements. But owners say they're in this situation through no fault of their own, and that the council built and then sold the houses, so they should pay. As feelings run high and with the mental health toll on families only worsening, we're asking the Aberdeen public what should happen? Who should pay and what can be done to bring about justice for homeowners about to lose everything they've worked for? Keep an eye out for our debates published each week. Our journalist will be in the comments from 10-11am each Thursday, responding to your opinions.
Press and Journal
24-04-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
Trapped by Raac: The P&J launches campaign to support Aberdeen homeowners affected by concrete crisis
For the last 12 months, hundreds of Aberdeen families have been at the very heart of the unfolding Raac crisis in our nation. For a year, we've reported how the discovery of this cheap and potentially dangerous concrete in local authority-built housing stock has plunged residents of Torry into chaos and uncertainty. From an army veteran fearing homelessness, to the impact demolition plans have had on a once tight-knit community, we've given a voice to those in desperate need. Today, we're taking this a step further. We're launching a new Press and Journal campaign to help those Trapped by Raac – and we need your help to make it a success. As this nightmare situation now envelopes families in Dundee and Stirling, we're joining forces with our sister publication The Courier to call for more support for homeowners. In Aberdeen, the situation is critical for those living in 138 private homes. While 366 Raac-riddled council houses are now largely empty, those who have bought their homes – often directly from Aberdeen City Council – are between Raac and a hard place. They can either sell their homes back to the council – for offers as low as £50,000 less than their pre-Raac prices, meaning certain bankruptcy for some. Or, wait it out in a community being torn apart around them, in the hope support will come. The Press and Journal and Evening Express wants to help these families. Every one of the 138 private properties is more than just a number. Each one represents a family and a household. Many have children, and worry where they'll end up, and how they'll support them if they lose the value of their homes. Some have lived there for generations and leaving will mean painfully saying goodbye to memories and milestones. Others, new to the area, have seen their recent purchases entrap them in financial insecurity. Scores have reported worsening mental and physical health as the months have ticked by. For too many, they'll be losing the inheritances they worked hard to create for their families. But every single one deserves our help. So today we are calling for action. There needs to be a joined-up approach to this issue between local authorities, the Scottish Government and the UK Government. Otherwise, nothing will be done. Through our campaign, we will keep raising awareness of the issue and be a voice for those affected. Though housing is handled by the Scottish Government, these houses were built before the devolved administration was formed, meaning all levels of government need to come together to tackle this issue. We are asking for your help by signing this petition to the UK Government. It will give homeowners a voice at Westminster – and outlines what national and local campaign groups need to feel safe in their homes. 10,000 signatures are required by June 17, just two months from now. To those in all levels of power, this is not the time to be finger-pointing or passing the buck. We know those in current administrations are not the ones who commissioned these homes. But you are the ones who can act now with compassion. We need urgent government action to support affected homeowners. Clear and transparent communication on the scale of the issue. And fair compensation and solutions for those trapped in unsellable homes. We need your support today to resolve this burgeoning crisis, before it becomes a national scandal. Sign the petition here.
