Seaside town lack of long term housing creating coastal ghost towns

Seaside towns across Britain are witnessing a housing crisis fuelled by a booming staycation trend, pushing long-term residents out of their homes in favour of more profitable short-term holiday lets. 

From Cornwall to Kent, locals find themselves priced out of their communities as landlords prioritise holidaymakers over permanent tenants.

The surge in demand for second homes, coupled with the popularity of short-term rentals like Airbnb, has led to a dire shortage of available housing for residents.

The uncertainty and rising costs for landlords in the private rented sector is seeing them look for a less risky and more lucrative alternatives.  

In Cornwall, for instance, where Airbnb listings outnumber traditional rental properties by a significant margin, finding a long-term rental has become nearly impossible. 

Many people relocating for a better life by the sea are being forced to settle for a short-term Airbnb rental due to the scarcity of long-term housing options. This predicament is echoed in many seaside towns, with many previously favourable potential tenants being ignored in favour of short term rentals. 

The housing crisis has exacerbated existing social issues, with some residents resorting to food banks to feed their families.

In Newquay alone, the number of people experiencing homelessness has skyrocketed, with many forced out of their homes to make way for holiday lets. 

The situation is particularly dire in coastal areas like Norfolk and Kent, where rental properties are scarce and competition among prospective tenants is fierce. 

Even inland cities like Canterbury are not immune to the housing crunch, with a disproportionate number of applicants vying for limited rental options. 

The increase in short term lets and holiday rentals is not only displacing residents but also threatening the social fabric of these communities. 

Local businesses are struggling to survive as the season flow of tourist outweighs the custom of long-term residents, forcing some business to close for the winter where before they would have been trading 12 months of the year.

As house prices continue to soar and rental options dwindle, many residents find themselves with no choice but to leave their communities in search of affordable housing elsewhere.

For individuals like lack of available rentals leaves them feeling trapped and uncertain about their future.

But could the tide be turning?