OCCUPANTS of nearly 300 council properties in the Balnagask area of Aberdeen are to be rehomed after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found in them. (RAAC) panels were found in around 500 homes overall in the city’s Balnagask area, including 364 council properties.
It’s understood that 65 of them are currently unoccupied.
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The material, a cheap version of concrete, was widely used between the 1950s and 1990s.
It’s said to have a lifespan of around 30 years, but concerns have arisen after the Health and Safety Executive said it may “collapse with little or no notice”.
The Council received an independent structural engineers’ report on the presence of RAAC in a representative sample of these properties on February 22.
The survey recommended that council tenants be relocated to alternative accommodation within the city as soon as possible, with the findings considered by Aberdeen City Council’s Urgent Business Committee on Thursday (February 29).
Officers are currently exploring options for the long-term viability for the site, which include remedial works or demolition. A detailed appraisal will be presented to Council within six months.
Councillors accepted a recommendation from council officers that tenants be permanently rehomed. The committee asked officers to be available to engage with council tenants to understand their individual needs and to support them through the next steps.
The Council has written to council tenants inviting them to meet with a housing and support officer in their home. The Council has also contacted owners and private tenants to advise them of the current position and to offer those occupiers a meeting with a Housing and Support Officer to discuss their housing options.
Councillor Miranda Radley, Convener of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee, said: “This is an incredibly difficult situation for everyone living in a RAAC affected property, but the Council will be doing everything we can to support our tenants during this hugely challenging time.”
“These are people’s homes and we need to ensure we support our tenants, but also engage with owners and privately rented tenants, to keep them informed on this matter.”
The committee agreed to set aside an initial £3 million to cover the rehoming programme.
Please see ACC’s Frequently Asked Questions online: RAAC Council Housing | Aberdeen City Council
