Mr Dale also says that many leading indicators show housing is a promising part of the economy.

The HIA is forecasting new home contracts to increase by eleven per cent, which translates to 6,900, in the second half of 2009.

Building approvals for Australia rose by 3.5 per cent to 10,494 units in March, seasonally adjusted, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said last month.

The ABS is due to release a report on April's building approvals this coming Tuesday.

Later today the Reserve Bank of Australia meets to decide on interest rates and if there is another cut announced sales of homes could again rise.