brian moynihan says the housing market is in some pain but right now american shoppers are keeping the economy afloat. meanwhile, the conference board reports that consumer confidence is at the lowest level since july. people are spending money despite inflation, in part because the labor market does remain strong. the u.s. government is taking new action in the housing market amid the nationwide affordability crisis. mortgage giants fannie mae and freddie mac will raise the limits of government-backed loans to a record level of 2023. the federal house financing agency announced that on tuesday. this means the baseline performing loan limit for 2023 will be more than $726,000. higher cost areas will have a new loan limit. however, one trade group says the higher loan limits will make the affordability crisis worse. in a landmark vote the u.s.