Mortgage rates declined for the second week in a row, lifting demand in the stagnant housing market as the affordability crisis continues to create headwinds.

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the United States dropped this week to the lowest level since late October. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the rate dipped to 6.69 percent from 6.

Mortgage rates decreased to their lowest level in more than a month, the latest Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey said. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.69% as of Dec. 5, compared to 6.81% last week and 7.