Sen. Richard Blumenthal praised a Bridgeport church on Saturday for their efforts to help solve the housing crisis gripping Connecticut.

He says the program created by Rev. Dr. Herron K. Gaston of the Summerfield United Methodist Church is helping to ease the financial burden on taxpayers by offsetting the cost of funding rental assistance programs.

"What's critical to the use of federal funding, is this kind of local leadership from Rev. Gaston,” he said. “To make the funding available to people who really need it.”

Gaston told News 12 it gives families in need up to three months of rental assistance. He also says the program also helps people with utility bills.