Housing affordability in Wales has become a growing concern in recent years, driven by reduced housing supply and rising house prices. This issue is further complicated by the presence of second homes, empty properties, and short-term lets, which, while benefitting local economies, can disrupt community cohesion, strain services, and threaten Welsh as a community language.

In response, the Welsh Government launched initiatives aimed at improving housing affordability, including the Second Homes and Affordability Pilot in the Dwyfor area of Gwynedd in June 2022. This Pilot aims to test strategies for managing future numbers of second homes, empty properties, and short-term lets, improving housing affordability, and supporting local communities. The Welsh Government commissioned Alma Economics and OB3 Research to evaluate the Pilot, running from August 2023 to December 2026. The evaluation comprises three phases: Phase 1 (scoping and exploratory research), Phase 2 (process evaluation), and Phase 3 (impact and economic evaluation).

Phase 1, completed in October 2024, focused on refining the Pilot’s scope and priorities while deepening understanding of the broader policy landscape. Key activities included a review of existing research, stakeholder engagement through interviews, focus groups, and surveys, the development of a Theory of Change (ToC) model, data mapping, and the creation of a feasibility plan to guide the Pilot’s future evaluation.

➥ Read the full report here.