Evaluation of the Second Homes and Affordability Pilot: phase 2 report (2024 to 2025)

Main findings

• Pilot partners indicated that the Pilot enhanced resources and capacity to address housing challenges. It also strengthened relationships between the Welsh Government and delivery partners, and refined collaborative working practices.
• Among the interventions, Article 4 directions and council tax premiums considered to have the widest reach. Community-led housing initiatives, though smaller in scale, were locally well received. Overall, the evaluation highlighted positive stakeholder relationships and strong collaborative engagement.
• Community stakeholders highlighted the prevalence of second homes and short-term lets in the Dwyfor area. The main concerns regarding affordability included low wages and the outmigration of younger residents. Stakeholders noted that many second homes currently available on the market are unsuitable for local families. Awareness of interventions was largely limited to Article 4, council tax premiums and Homebuy. Information was typically accessed through local press, social media, and word of mouth.
• Pilot partners felt it was important to have pilot officers in the local area to understand contextual factors.

Pilot challenges

• During setup, experimentation was limited, bureaucracy caused frustration, and communication and stakeholder expectations were difficult to manage.
• Community stakeholders suggested monthly in-person meetings to improve communication, enable more experimentation, and provide clearer guidelines.