The value of new housing loans rose by 13.5 per cent in the year to June, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday.Economists greeted the latest data as evidence that there is a sustained and rising trend in housing finance activity.The number of loans to owner-occupiers was up 2.7 per cent in June, and up 12.7 per cent over the year.By value, loans to owner-occupiers were up 2.1 per cent in June and up 13.5 per cent over the year.The value of new loans to investors rose by 18.3 per cent in the year to June.Commonwealth Bank senior economist, Michael Workman, said in a note: "The housing finance data is a clear indication that some interest rate sectors of the Australian economy are responding to lower interest rates."The RBA's cash-rate cut to 2.5 per cent will provide further stimulus to the housing market into spring and summer."First-home buyers made up 15.1 per cent of the market - slightly higher than the 14.6 per cent share in May but well down on levels from the same period last year.