The Homebuy scheme was created to help people who could not otherwise afford to buy a property and is particularly of benefit in more rural communities where there may be few opportunities to buy a home.
The Welsh Government launched the Dwyfor pilot as part of a range of measures it introduced to tackle issues caused by second home ownership. The area in Gwynedd was selected as the pilot area based on its geographic size, the concentration of second homes in communities in the area and issues faced around the Welsh language.
Cyngor Gwynedd, with support from the Welsh Government, was the first local planning authority in Wales, to implement an Article 4 planning direction from September 2024. This means that planning permission may be required before changing the use of a primary residential property to a second home, short-term holiday accommodation or specific mixed- use property.
More local authorities have also decided to use the powers available to them to apply council tax premiums on second homes and long-term empty properties.
For further information please select the following link - www.gov.wales/more-people-becoming-homeowners-first-time-thanks-groundb…