- 12 - nationwide and is binding on local authorities, since they have prime responsibility for housing issues. Comprehensive and integrated housing policies 29. Member states, taking into account the potentially synergetic links between housing policies and other socially-oriented policies concerning access to welfare, employment, health and education, should encourage public authorities, at all levels, to adopt comprehensive approaches and policies. Participation in the preparation of housing policies 30. (…) Member states should also ensure that Roma residing on their territory – whether sedentary, nomadic or semi-nomadic – are given an appropriate assistance to define their specific needs in terms of housing, as well as access to appropriate welfare and social services (health, education, employment, culture, and so on). (…) Access to health and sanitary services 34. (…) Roma who are permanently and legally settled in derelict or unhealthy surroundings should receive assistance in order to improve the sanitary conditions of their homes (help for repairs, assistance in improving their living conditions and environment, measures to allow them better access to short-term loans for acquiring better housing, mediation in their relations with administrations or public services). (…) VIII. Housing standards (…) Standard for housing location and surroundings 48. Member states, through their relevant authorities, should ensure that Roma housing is located in areas that are fit for habitation or suitable for construction under current legislation, and in ecologically healthy surroundings. (…) The existing settlements which cannot be removed from unsuitable locations should be improved by appropriate and constructive environmental measures. Legal standards for public and social services 49. Legal standards applying to public services – water, electricity, street cleaning, sewage systems, refuse disposal, and so on – should equally apply to Roma settlements and camp sites. Public transportation should be a part of area-based facilities. The authorities should also make sure that public services, such as health care facilities, access to education, police stations, post and telecommunication offices, are available in these areas. Authorities should pay specific attention to the physical distance between Roma settlements and camp sites and schools, as it is an important factor in fighting against the creation of ghettos. (…)” 22. Memorandum by Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, following his visit to France from 21 to 23 May 2008 (commDH(2008)34, 20 November 2008): “(…) 2. Migrant Roma 146. In addition to the Traveller community, a roma community mainly from Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and the Balkans has recently settled in France. Its members are in different situations. They may or may not have a residence permit, be asylum seekers or have entered the country without any documentation. There are an estimated 10,000 such people living in France in extremely uncertain conditions. Many Roma camps are comparable to shanty towns. (…)