A housing association in Wales has asked more than 40 households to evacuate their homes due to concerns about reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. Trivallis discovered that two properties in Hirwaun were at “critical risk” due to the lightweight material used in their construction. Another 38 properties in the area have the same design. Raac, a cheaper alternative to standard concrete that was used in buildings from the 1950s to the 1990s, has a less durable lifespan of around 30 years.
Trivallis said it was working to find temporary accommodation for those affected and supporting with getting children to school if necessary. Surveyors had assured the company that there was no immediate danger to residents if the issue was addressed within the next six months. However, the association chose to evacuate residents immediately due to concerns about their safety.
Last year, hundreds of schools in England and dozens in Scotland were found to have Raac, leading to many being partially closed. In Wales, just a handful of schools were found to have the material. Trivallis describes itself as one of the largest housing associations in the country, providing more than 10,000 homes. Structural engineers will assess the properties in Hirwaun in the coming days to determine a technical solution and timeline for safe reoccupation of the affected homes.
Chief executive Duncan Forbes said the safety of tenants was the company’s primary concern and the goal was to ensure that families could return home as soon as possible. “Until we know what the technical solution is, we can’t predict how long it will take to implement. Hopefully, there will be a temporary solution that is quick and easy and that makes it safe and then we can get people back in their homes,” Forbes said
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