A new housing boss has been appointed after a scathing report highlighted the council’s serious safety failings.

Brighton and Hove City Council has appointed Darren Levy as the new director of housing regeneration on a 12-month interim basis.

This comes after the government's Regulator of Social Housing told the council in a report that “significant improvement is needed” as part of its role as a social housing landlord.

Brighton and Hove City Council owns around 12,100 social housing homes, with the regulator finding that around 3,600 homes were without a current electrical condition report and a further 600 without evidence of a current electrical certificate.

'This report is a moment for our administration to make the essential changes required to meet the needs of our residents.' (Image: Ramy Abou-Setta)

At the time of the report being published a month ago Councillor Gill Williams, cabinet member for housing and new homes, said: “This report is a moment for our administration to make the essential changes required to meet the needs of our residents.”

In this newly created role the director will work on the regeneration of its ageing housing stock.

Mr Levy will report to Genette Laws, corporate director for housing, care and wellbeing, and work alongside other council teams.

He will lead building a team and delivering a plan for the refurbishment and regeneration of the council's large panel system high rise blocks to create new homes and safe places for residents to live in.

Brighton and Hove City Council owns around 12,100 social housing homes (Image: The Argus)

He said: “As a resident of Brighton and Hove, I’m excited to be joining the city council at such a pivotal time.

“In my very early career I was a housing officer for Brighton Borough Council, and it feels right to return and take forward this important work to regenerate our housing and ensure our tenants have safe spaces to live.”

Cllr Gill Williams said: “We must do everything it takes to ensure the health and safety of our tenants and provide decent housing and I’m pleased we’ve appointed Darren with a proven track record of delivering housing services and new homes.

“Tackling the housing crisis and improving social housing is a top priority for the council and I am very much looking forward to working with Darren on this mission.”

A spokesman added: "In this newly created role Darren will work collaboratively and across directorates on the regeneration of our ageing housing stock. Currently working as director of housing with Newham Council, Darren brings with him a wealth of experience from across local authority and registered provider settings. 

"He will lead building a team and delivering a plan for the refurbishment and regeneration of our large panel system high rise blocks to create new homes and safe places for our tenants and residents to live and thrive in."