Summary Box: Outlook For Housing Industry Shaky

OUTLOOK GRIM: Builders view of the housing market hasn't changed in four months. The National Association of Home Builders' index of builder sentiment remained at 16 in February.

MARKET STRUGGLING: A reading below 50 is consistent with a negative view of the market. The index has not been above that threshold since April 2006. Last year was the worst for new-home sales in a half-century.

JOB IMPACT: Each new home built creates, on average, three new jobs for a year and about $90,000 in taxes, according to the trade group.