Hirwaun homeowners call for justice over crumbling concrete crisis

A COMMUNITY of homeowners in Hirwaun, South Wales, say they are being “abandoned” to deal with a growing construction scandal after dangerous RAAC concrete was discovered in 77 homes on the Gower Estate.

At a packed meeting last week, residents joined forces with the UK RAAC Campaign Group, calling for a national remediation fund and emergency government support to prevent a looming disaster that could see families bankrupted or made homeless.

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), a lightweight and unstable building material used in housing between the 1950s and 1980s, has been linked to structural collapses across the UK. Of the affected homes in Hirwaun, 14 were purchased under the Right to Buy scheme and are now privately owned—leaving owners facing five-figure repair bills without financial assistance.

“We’re stuck,” said one resident. “We can’t sell, we can’t insure, we can’t borrow, and we can’t afford to fix the problem. We’re being left behind.”

Campaigners are urging the public to back their petition to the UK Government, which demands a national remediation fund, a public inquiry into the handling of RAAC by councils and housing associations, and legal reforms to protect owners of affected homes. The petition must reach 10,000 signatures by June 17 to receive an official response from the government.

Trivallis responds

Trivallis, the housing association responsible for the social housing on the estate, has responded to campaigners by stating it holds no legal responsibility for the privately owned homes but recognises the concerns of the wider community.

In a letter to campaigner Wilson Chowdhry from the UK RAAC Campaign Group, Vic Cox, Director of Assets and Sustainability at Trivallis, said:

“Our legal obligations relate solely to the properties within our ownership. However, we are committed to engaging transparently with residents and homeowners who live in proximity to our properties.”

Trivallis has defended its safety measures, including the installation of “safety decks” to mitigate immediate structural risks. The solution was approved by both the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Welsh Government, and is said to offer a long-term fix for tenants—though campaigners argue it doesn’t solve the crisis for those who own their homes.

While Trivallis said it had explored funding avenues through the Welsh Government and local authority to “try and support owner-occupiers where possible”, it also confirmed it would not support calls for a national remediation fund in its specific context.

Furthermore, the housing association has stated that it will not engage in further dialogue with campaigners, stating that “we are not open to further correspondence or meetings on this issue”.

Campaigners undeterred

Despite the response, residents remain determined. At Friday’s meeting, they discussed forming a constituted Welsh group aligned with the UK RAAC Campaign to maintain pressure on both the Welsh and UK Governments.

They say the silence from mortgage lenders and insurance companies is exacerbating their fears, with many now ineligible for standard insurance products and some may end up facing threats of repossession.

A second petition aimed at the Welsh Government is expected to be launched in the coming weeks, specifically demanding financial support and long-term solutions for affected residents in Hirwaun.

Mr Chowdhry, who is helping to coordinate the campaign, said:

“This is a national issue and needs a national response. If nothing changes, people are going to lose their homes through no fault of their own.”

The UK petition can be signed at:
👉 https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701337

For more information or to speak with affected homeowners, readers can contact wilson@aasecurity.co.uk.

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