A second government program a tax credit for first-time home buyers has helped the housing market.

VOA: special.2009.11.06

That said,we're still not going anywhere fast." Despite an $8,000 tax incentive for first time home buyers, sales of existing homes have declined two months in a row.

VOA: standard.2010.03.02

But recent reports showed U.S.consumer confidence dipping and consumer spending down as government subsidies to purchase new cars have ended and tax credits for first-time home buyers are soon to expire.

VOA: standard.2009.11.01

The 2 percentage point tax increase has reduced tax-home pay for nearly all Americans.

NPR: US Consumers Boost Spending 0.2 Pct. Last Month

Included in the bill are provisions to overhaul the regulation of Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the Federal Home Loan Banks, as well as provisions to increase loan limits to veterans, increase various tax credits to home buyers, and increase the issuance of tax-exempt bonds to refinance subprime loans.

FORBES: Magazine Article

And of course it makes some sense, given the fact that the Home Buyer Tax credits, which artificially boosted home prices by incentivizing sales on and off from early 2009 through August 2010, expired.

FORBES: Is A Double-Dip Housing Market Old News?