A double-digit decline in US home prices could also spark big job losses. Construction employment fell about 15% in both the 1990’s and 1980’s recessions, and it dropped 18% in the recession of the mid-1970’s. In each case, the sector’s declines were far steeper than job losses in the overall economy, and the recovery took longer. About 7.6 million Americans workers are employed by construction companies, so a 15% decline would translate into the loss of 1 million jobs.
According to ADP Employer Services, employment in the construction sector fell by 20,000 in September, the 12th decline in thirteen months, bringing the total decline since August of 2006 to 157,000 workers. The US Labor department appears to be vastly overstating the level of employment in the construction sector, which is far out of alignment with the 44% plunge in US building permits from two years ago.
It’s not just the prospect of a sharp decline in US homes prices which has the Bernanke Fed in a state of panic. About 5 million adjustable-rate mortgages are slated to reset to higher rates in the next 18-months. Therefore, the housing slump could deepen if the Fed doesn’t lower short-term rates, to ease the plight of homeowners who are unable to refinance loans under tighter underwriting guidelines and as home values stagnate or fall. |
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