WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. homebuilder confidence in the market for single family homes unexpectedly fell in January, pulled down by surging COVID-19 infections and more expensive lumber, though the housing market remains underpinned by record low mortgage rates.

华盛顿(路透社)-1月份，受新冠病毒感染激增和木材价格上涨的拖累，美国住宅建筑商对独栋住宅市场的信心意外下降，尽管住房市场仍受到创纪录低点抵押贷款利率的支撑。

The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market index slipped to a reading of 83 this month from 86. Economists polled by Reuters had expected the index would be unchanged at 86. A reading above 50 means more builders view market conditions as favorable than poor. The index hit an all-time high of 90 in November.

本月NAHB/Wells Fargo房屋市场指数从86下滑至83。路透调查的经济学家原本预计该指数将维持在86不变。该指数高于50，意味着看好市场状况的建筑商多于看好市场状况的建筑商。该指数在11月份达到了90的历史高点。

"Despite robust housing demand and low mortgage rates, buyers are facing a dearth of new homes on the market, which is exacerbating affordability problems," said NAHB chairman Chuck Fowke. "Builders are grappling with supply-side constraints related to lumber and other material costs, a lack of affordable lots and labor shortages that delay delivery times and put upward pressure on home prices."

NAHB主席Chuck Fowke称，"尽管住房需求强劲，抵押贷款利率较低，但购房者仍面临市场上新屋供应不足的问题，这加剧了负担能力问题。"“建筑商正在努力应对与木材和其他材料成本相关的供应方面的限制，缺乏负担得起的地段，劳动力短缺导致交货时间推迟，并给房价带来上行压力。”

Demand for housing is being driven by cheaper mortgages and an exodus from city centers to suburbs and other low density areas as companies allow employees to work from home and schools shift to online classes because of the coronavirus pandemic. About 23.7% of the labor force is working from home.

由于冠状病毒大流行，公司允许员工在家工作，学校转向在线课程，导致住房需求从城市中心向郊区和其他低密度地区转移，从而推动了住房需求。约有23.7%的劳动力在家工作。

The coronavirus recession, which started in February, has disproportionately affected lower-wage earners. A resurgence in COVID-19 cases is also disrupting labor at construction sites. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is around an average of 2.79%, according to data from mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac.

今年2月开始的冠状病毒衰退对低收入者的影响尤为严重。COVID-19病例的死灰复燃也扰乱了建筑工地的劳动秩序。据抵押贷款融资机构房地美(Freddie Mac)的数据，30年期固定抵押贷款利率平均在2.79%左右。

The survey's measure of sales expectations in the next six months fell two points to a reading of 83 this month, while a gauge of current sales conditions decreased two points to 90. The prospective buyers index dropped five points to 68.

该调查衡量未来六个月销售预期的指标下降两个点至83，衡量当前销售状况的指标下降两个点至90。潜在买家指数下降5点，至68点。

(Reporting By Lucia Mutikani)

(Lucia Mutikani报道)