Is this why young people struggle to buy houses in Wales? | BBC News

BBC News BBC News — 16min

What do affordable housing, arsonists, tourism, the Welsh language and council tax have in common?

The answer... second homes.

In some parts of Wales, second homes make up nearly a third of all properties.

For local young people trying to buy their first home, that raises a big question - are second homes pricing them out of the communities they grew up in?

In this video, we explore the impact of second-home ownership on housing affordability, local culture and community life in Wales.

We hear from residents, experts and policymakers to find out whether second homes are a problem, or whether there are other factors making it harder for young people to get on the housing ladder.

From economics and housing policy to tourism and the Welsh language, this is a story about far more than property.

In this video:

00:00 – 30% of houses are second homes in certain parts of Wales
00:47 – Rhodri's perspective as a young local from Crymych
01:27 – Who is buying second homes in Wales?
01:58 – Gareth Lewis breaks down why second homes are so complicated
03:21 – The impact of second homes in local communities
03:54 – ‘The Right to Live at Home’ campaign
04:46 – Meet Wynfford – he's been campaigning since the 70s
05:29 – The campaign against second homes turns violent
08:00 – Council tax & planning permission explained
09:00 – Scenario 1: the costs behind a private second home
09:41 – Scenario 2: the costs behind renting a second home
10:31 – Beverley’s view as a second home owner
11:27 – Gwynedd, the county with the MOST second homes in Wales
12:04 – Carol's view as a local landlord
13:28 – Greg’s perspective as a young local from the Gower Peninsula
13:52 – ... and it isn’t just Wales facing this issue
14:50 – What happens next?

Gareth Lewis explains

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