UPDATE (3:32 p.m.): The Associated Press reports the program was stopped after more than 40,000 applications in under four days.

The agency estimated they had enough money to help about 10,000 tenants, paying the aid directly to landlords.

The Louisiana Housing Corporation said it will continue to process applications and take more applicants once additional money is available.

Gov. John Bel Edwards said the overwhelming number of applications shows the pandemic is more than just a health crisis.

“The response to our state’s emergency rental assistance program proves how significant the economic burden of COVID-19 is for our citizens,” Edwards said in a statement.

ORIGINAL POST: BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) — Less than one week after it ramped up, Louisiana’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program has been temporarily been shut down.

The program, as run by the Louisiana Housing Corporation, was set to help Louisiana renters affected by COVID-19 shutdowns to make their rental payments. The program was funded by the feds with $7 million available now and another $17 million promised at a later date. Tenants could sign up by visiting LaRentHelp.com or by calling the state’s 211 hotline. The service went online July 16.

However, visiting the site shows that action has been temporarily suspended. Users can sign up for a notification for when the assistance resumes. An email from the Louisiana Housing Corporation stated that the system is down “due to overwhelming response.” Attempts to call 211 were unable to be completed.

Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham explained last week recipients could be eligible for assistance with up to three months of back rent owed an up to three months of rental assistance going forward. Monies will not be made available to tenants, but will instead go directly to landlords.

It is unclear when the service will resume operations.