AN independent structural engineers’ report has recommended that hundreds of residents in Aberdeen’s Balnagask area be relocated ‘as soon as possible’ after RAAC panels were found in around 500 homes, including 364 council properties.
299 of the properties are occupied by council tenants.
Aberdeen City Council received the report on the presence of RAAC in a representative sample of the 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 today.
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 re-homed. 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 also written to tenants inviting them to meet with a housing and support officer in their home. The local authority 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.
