Aberdeen RAAC victims ‘on their own’ if they can’t afford to move out of stricken homes

Of 138 remaining privately owned households remaining, 133 are in the process of engagement with the council. At least 61 have accepted offers and 36 have sold.

The Scottish Government’s housing minister has ruled out supporting individual Aberdeen residents struggling to leave RAAC-riddled homes “before the bulldozers move in”, MSPs heard this week.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was identified in more than 500 council and private properties across the Balnagask area of Torry in 2024.

Hundreds of residents were evacuated from the stricken homes, with Aberdeen City Council planning to demolish all the affected buildings by 2028.

Private owners were left furious after receiving settlement offers below their pre-RAAC valuations, but a rescue deal was struck for residents in May last year- similar to one struck for residents in so-called “Orlit housing” in Garthdee in the 1980s and 90s.

The deal would be paid for by an unspent £10million fund for new city properties announced by the Scottish Government in 2016. No Aberdeen project had ever qualified under Housing Infrastructure Fund criteria.

The council was given £10million five months later, allowing the local authority to make improved offers to impacted homeowners.

Of 138 remaining privately owned households remaining, 133 are in the process of engagement with the council. At least 61 have accepted offers and 36 have sold.

But North East MSP Liam Kerr used Scottish Parliament time to ask housing minister Mairi Mcallan for her help with another issue — how cash-strapped homeowners make their move.

An Aberdeen City Council risk report suggests council building standards officers will want to move quickly to deal with the dangerous “crumbly” concrete.

The Scottish Conservative MSP said: “A report out today suggests pressure will soon be applied to Aberdeen’s RAAC victims to accept the council’s final offer and move out before the bulldozers move in.

“Many want to accept but don’t have savings or are too old to qualify for loans to help find a new home.

“And the report states that Aberdeen council, which is an administration ever more out of its depth, needs help to get this right for the people of Torry.

“Now, I helped this government find £10 million to help resolve this. Now, the people of Balnagask need this government’s time as well as the money.”

Ms Mcallan said: “I understand very well the stress and the strain that residents with RAAC in their properties have been living through.

“It’s why I sat down with residents in Aberdeen and with the council seeking to broker progress. It’s why I pressed for the council to conduct one-to-one meetings with residents and to continue that approach.

“And it’s why I considered very carefully Aberdeen City Council’s request for funding flexibility, which has allowed them to free up £10million.

“It’s now for Aberdeen City Council working always in concert with local residents to take matters forward in a locally appropriate way.”