Online help now available for housing assistance programs in Connecticut.

Hartford (AP) — An online portal has been launched to help Connecticut residents who need housing assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Department of Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno said the website came about after a call center that opened on July 15 was swamped with calls, resulting in busy signals and long wait times for callers.

“Callers must answer a series of questions on eligibility, so each call takes several minutes,” she said in a written statement. “We realized pretty quickly that we were going to need another option, and adding a web portal was best the solution.”

Connecticut is offering two new programs that provide rental assistance and mortgage assistance for those struggling to pay their housing costs due to a job loss, a reduction of work, a furlough or the closing of a business because of COVID-19.

Details on the two programs and eligibility can be found by visiting the Department of Housing website for renters and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority website for homeowners. Applicants can submit questionnaires online to determine if they’re eligible, as well as contact the call center at 1-860-785-3111, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Both programs have been funded with $10 million each to help people struggling with housing costs. Officials said they’re designed to help people remain in their homes as rent extensions, eviction moratoriums and other relief measures are scheduled to end soon.