$400,000 will be made available to municipalities on a first come, first served basis through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. The funding is designed to assist more municipalities meet housing needs and sustain population and economic growth, through enhancements to the Encouraging Community Housing Options Program.Applications are welcome from any municipality with a population more than 2,500 and an Official Community Plan (OCP) completed or underway. Regional partnerships are also eligible, if they have a combined population of more than 2,500 and the lead municipality has an OCP completed or under development.

The enhanced ECHO program will provide a cost-matched grant for: Up to $20,000 to complete a Housing Plan; and/or Up to $10,000 to implement strategies identified in a Housing Plan or other type of needs assessment.The municipalities must match a minimum of 50 per cent of the project cost.