Coronavirus downturn kills off WA housing sector green shoots as home building pipeline 'shut down'

The rate of new homes being built in Western Australia has fallen to a historic low, as the housing industry has been hit by the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic just after it was emerging from a five-year slump. Key points: The industry is bracing for worse to come in the second half of the year The industry is bracing for worse to come in the second half of the year Coronavirus has hurt consumer confidence, an expert says Coronavirus has hurt consumer confidence, an expert says Low population growth had already hurt demand But the industry is not even expected to see the worst of economic conditions until the second half of this year, when current projects are completed. Projects stall amid job losses Construction is considered a key sector in the state's economic recovery, given essential service status by the WA Government to allow building to continue during the coronavirus shutdowns. About 21 per cent of home building projects in the pre-construction phase have been put on hold or cancelled since March, according to Cath Hart, who runs the Housing Industry Association's WA branch. Shutdown hits quicker in WA New payroll data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics this week showed construction jobs fell by 6.4 per cent between March 14 and April 18 across Australia.