Protest in Wales demands action on housing crisis that undermines local communities and language

Hundreds gathered at Llyn Celyn in Gwynedd, Wales on Saturday to protest against high house prices and second home ownership in Wales. It comes as local young people are being priced out of the property market and second home ownership reaches record highs in a number of parts of the country. This second and holiday home ownership in some areas is also undermining Welsh language communities. It was revealed this week that almost half of all homes sold in Dwyfor Meirionnydd during 2020/21 were to be used as a second home.

Last week the Welsh Government unveiled plans to try and tackle the second homes crisis, which is blamed for driving up prices and making communities in many rural areas unaffordable. The government state they would pick an area of Wales to "pilot" new policies. However, their plans are being criticised for being too weak and that immediate action and not a "pilot scheme" was urgently needed. Protestors demanded stronger action from the Welsh government on the issue.

Mabli Siriol Jones, national Chair of the Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said that while the problems caused by the housing market manifested themselves differently in different areas, the result was the same:.

“Young people are unable to find homes in their own communities,” she said. “The people present at the Tryweryn Rally will be calling on the Welsh Government to take serious action for social justice and to secure the survival of Welsh as a community language.

“We don’t need more pilots, consultations and statements without substance from the Welsh Government. What we need is action.

“As urgent steps, we’re calling for the introduction of a tax on tourism, on landlords’ profits and on second houses, and for the money raised to be invested in bringing empty and second houses back into community use. We are also calling for a Property Act to be introduced that will ensure community control over the housing market and the planning process, for a change in the definition of affordable homes, for controls to be introduced on house and rent prices, and for a cap to be introduced on the number of holiday houses in any given community.

“We already have the answers, what we now need is political will. This is an opportunity for the Government to listen and ensure a home for everyone, as well as strong, Welsh-speaking communities in all parts of the country”.

Image: Housing protest in Wales image courtesy BBC Cymru.