Stephen Greenhalgh: government-appointed housing champion
The government has appointed Stephen Greenhalgh, the leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council, as a “housing and construction champion”.
Greenhalgh, who is stepping down as council leader later this year, has been tasked with carrying out a review of housing regulations in support of the government’s Housing Strategy published in November last year.
The strategy includes improving environmental standards, building more affordable housing, security of tenure, and legal protection for tenants and leaseholders.
DCLG says Greenhalgh’s review will help get rid of “unnecessary and disproportionate red tape.” Greenhalgh co-authored a report from right-wing think tank Localis which argued for wholesale reform of the national housing system.
The announcement comes in the week that Hammersmith and Fulham has come under criticism for auctioning some of its social housing stock.