Although none of these attributes in themselves are automatic justification for government assistance and intervention in housing they do illustrate that there are many aspects of housing that can be instrumental in the health and well-being of individuals and communities, in the successful operation of the economy and in many aspects of the social and cultural attributes of society. [...] Policy Sectors, People and the Interaction with Housing The paper explores the interaction of housing and areas of social policy and sectors of society. [...] The nature of the interactions and the arguments in favour of better integration of housing policy and social policy highlighted in this paper clearly suggest we should not be discussing housing policy and social policy separately, but rather housing as social policy. [...] Those active in the housing sector – the community, the private sector, non-profit organizations, Aboriginal groups and the three levels of government – must work to achieve a number of objectives to mutually reinforce the interaction of housing and social policy: • Housing has to become a fully integrated member of the social policy sector and be recognized as an integral part of the social polic [...] Although much of the discussion focuses on the role of social housing, the influence of the market and the importance of private market housing to the success of social policy is also discussed.