RBA assistant governor Sarah Hunter says the central bank won't step in to help the housing market. "We don't mechanically respond to falling house prices, but the housing market is really important," she said at the Barrenjoey Annual Australia Economics Forum. but no, we don't just mechanically respond to what happens in the housing market. Ms Hunter conceded movement in house prices could have an impact on the broader economy and the RBA's dual mandate. First-home buyers are "less likely to be affected" by Sydney's housing price and unit downturn as historically affordable areas have increased.