After two months of delays, a nearly $2 billion program to help struggling California homeowners is nearly ready to launch.

Phase 1 of the program, under which the government will make direct mortgage payments for eligible unemployed Californians, is expected to begin Jan. 10, the program’s director said Thursday.

The rest of the program – including a “buydown” feature that would reduce loan balances – is expected to begin Feb. 7.

Funded with almost $2 billion in federal dollars, the “Keep Your Home California” program was announced last February. It was supposed to start Nov. 1. The delays have generated criticism from advocacy groups and some elected officials.