CLG's Introduction to Enhanced Housing Options Trailblazers
This web page draws together information, emerging positive practice, and details of the
evaluation about the Government funded Enhanced Housing Options trailblazer programme.
Across the country, 42 Enhanced Housing Options trailblazers have been established to
deliver new innovative ways of providing housing advice which empowers people and
transforms lives.
An ‘enhanced’ housing options approach promotes independence, choice, and opportunities
by offering personalised advice to anyone in housing need, intervening before the point of
crisis. Trailblazers provide advice on the full range of housing options from social housing to
shared ownership to privately rented properties, linking this with wider advice on issues such
as on employment, debt, drug and alcohol problems, or health – to help tackle the root causes
of housing need.
The housing options approach fundamentally transforms the way that those in housing need
interact with providers of housing advice to ensure that people are fully informed and able to
make the right choice for their individual circumstances.
Funded by CLG, the trailblazer programme meets the core values of choice, empowerment
and the provision of excellent customer services shaped around individuals’ needs.
The Government would like to see all local authorities integrate services through a housing
options approach. This website provides information and help, and a good practice toolkit with
practical examples on how to deliver an effective housing options service will be produced as
part of a comprehensive evaluation of the programme in 2011.
