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

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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