E/C.12/CO/FRA/CO/3 page 4 21. The Committee is deeply concerned that persons belonging to racial, ethnic and national minorities, especially migrant workers and persons of immigrant origin, are disproportionately concentrated in poor residential areas characterized by large, low-quality and poorly maintained housing complexes, limited employment opportunities, inadequate access to health care facilities and public transport, underresourced schools and high exposure to crime and violence. 22. The Committee notes with concern that, despite the efforts made by the State party, there is still a large number of individuals and families living in sub-standard housing characterized by unsafe, unhealthy or unhygienic conditions. 23. The Committee remains concerned about the inadequate supply of social housing for low-income households and the continuing increase of rents in the private rental sector, in spite of the efforts made by the State party to increase the provision of social housing units. 24. The Committee notes with concern the persistent de facto discrimination that Gypsies and Travellers experience in the field of housing, due to the shortage of serviced parking areas for caravans and to the sub-standard living conditions existing in many of the stopping areas designated by local authorities, often situated far away from residential areas and in locations lacking basic infrastructures and inadequate environmentally. 25. The Committee remains deeply concerned about the extent of homelessness in the State party, in spite of the efforts made by the State party to increase the number of emergency shelters and improve mechanisms for assistance to homeless persons. The Committee notes in particular that the number of emergency shelters and accommodation centres is not sufficient to meet the growing demand, and that progress made in facilitating the social reintegration of homeless persons is still insufficient. 26. The Committee notes with concern that in spite of the introduction of universal health care coverage (CMU) in July 1999, persons belonging to disadvantaged and marginalized groups, such as asylum-seekers and undocumented migrant workers and members of their families, continue to encounter difficulties in gaining access to health care facilities, goods and services, due to lack of awareness concerning their rights, the complexity of administrative formalities, such as the requirement of continuous and legal residence in the territory of the State party, and language barriers. 27. The Committee remains deeply concerned about the high suicide rate existing in the State party, especially among persons aged between 15 and 44, despite the various plans and strategies adopted by the State party to combat this phenomenon. 28. The Committee notes with concern that significant disparities in terms of school performance and drop-out rates continue to exist between French pupils and pupils belonging to racial, ethnic or national minorities, in spite of the efforts made by the State party to address the social and economic inequalities existing in the field of