Cyngor Gwynedd's Buy to Let Scheme offers a key to the future for a young couple

Cyngor Gwynedd’s scheme to purchase and upgrade housing to rent to local residents is already transforming lives across the county, including a young couple in Porthmadog who have received the keys to an affordable home in their own community.

Launched in 2021, the Council’s Buy to Let scheme is a key element of its £190 million Housing Action Plan. The aim is to purchase 100 properties across the county and rent them to local residents, helping to address the shortage of affordable housing in Gwynedd.

So far, the scheme has delivered:
 

• 50 properties purchased by Cyngor Gwynedd
• 20 already let to local residents
• The remainder undergoing renovation to meet the required standards before being rented out.

 These properties include houses in areas where a large number of Gwynedd residents have trouble finding affordable housing, such as the communities of Aberdyfi, Llanberis, Cricieth, and the Pen Llŷn area.

The Council is working with Adra on this scheme, with Adra responsible for managing the property on behalf of the Council. The homes are available to individuals who meet Tai Teg criteria. For those interested, registering with Tai Teg is the first step to apply for one of the houses.

One of those who have benefited is Ffion Morris and her partner Rhodri, who now live in a house through the scheme in Porthmadog:

"As a local couple, one from Penrhyndeudraeth and one from Porthmadog, we had been looking for a home for a while but were struggling to find a suitable place to rent in the area.

“Moving to our new home through the Council's Buy to Let scheme feels like a dream and an amazing opportunity for us.

"We see a bright future here in our new house and are extremely grateful to the Council, Tai Teg and Adra for supporting us through the process."

Councillor Paul Rowlinson, Cyngor Gwynedd’s Housing and Property Cabinet Member, said

"It was a privilege to hand over the keys to Ffion and Rhodri in front of their new home in Porthmadog - a young, local couple who are now able to live in a quality house within their own community.

"And this is the 20th house that has been let by the Council, we have invested significantly in our intermediate affordable housing schemes, schemes that bridge the gap for those who are not eligible for social housing, but who may find it difficult to afford housing on the open market. In addition to the Buy to Let scheme, the Council has other intermediate schemes such as Tŷ Gwynedd, to build and sell or rent houses to local people, and the Homebuy scheme, an equity loan to help people buy a house. If these schemes interest you, get in touch.

"We know that the need for affordable housing is still huge in Gwynedd, but this example shows how our housing plans make a real difference to the lives of the people of Gwynedd. I wish Ffion and Rhodri every happiness in their new home."

Siân Gwenllian MS, Plaid Cymru's spokesperson for housing and planning matters, said:

"I am proud that Gwynedd is taking the lead in Wales by using the radical powers gained through Plaid Cymru's Co-operation Agreement with the Welsh Government to take real steps to tackle the second home crisis.

“It’s encouraging to see that the revenue raised is now being reinvested in schemes that give local people - especially young people - the opportunity to live in their own communities."

To register with Tai Teg go to: Hafan | Tai Teg