E/C.12/ROU/CO/3-5 benefits and the minimum pension, are sufficient to provide the recipients and their families with a decent standard of living. The Committee also recommends that the State party reconsider cuts and eligibility criteria for social assistance benefits insofar as they affect the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups, in compliance with the human rights-based approach. The Committee refers the State party to the letter concerning austerity measures, which was sent to all States parties to the Covenant by the Chairperson of the Committee on 16 May 2012, and to its general comment No. 19 (2007) on the right to social security. Social services 16. The Committee is concerned that the decentralization of social services has led to disparities in the provision of social care in the State party. The Committee recommends that the State party establish appropriate mechanisms to monitor and ensure adequate provision of social care services at the local level through an effective distribution of resources and accountability of local authorities in the delivery of such services. Poverty 17. The Committee is concerned that the level of poverty remains among the highest in Europe, with 41.7 per cent of the population at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2012. The Committee is also concerned that children, older persons, persons with disabilities and the Roma are particularly affected by extreme poverty, with 70 per cent of Roma living below the poverty line in 2011 (art. 11). The Committee strongly urges the State party to intensify its efforts to combat poverty, especially among the most disadvantaged and marginalized members of the population, and to reduce disparities in poverty levels between regions. In that respect, the Committee draws the State party’s attention to its statement concerning poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/2001/10). Adequate housing 18. The Committee is concerned that the majority of Roma continue to live in substandard housing conditions, without safe drinking water or sanitation facilities, electricity, heating, sewage, waste disposal or legal security of tenure, which exposes them to the risk of eviction. The Committee is also concerned at the limited number of social housing units available and the absence of a monitoring mechanism to ensure that the allocation of social housing is transparent and non-discriminatory. The Committee recommends that the State party adopt all appropriate measures to ensure access to adequate housing for the Roma, inter alia by ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to increase the supply of social housing units, giving priority in the assignment of such dwellings to disadvantaged and marginalized groups, particularly Roma. The Committee draws the State party’s attention to its general comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing. Forced evictions 19. The Committee is very concerned at cases of forced eviction of Roma from irregular settlements, often without genuine prior consultation and reasonable notice, and at their relocation to unsafe or polluted sites, which threaten their lives and health. It is also concerned that the Roma are often relocated to segregated areas where access to work, education, health and other services is difficult. The Committee is particularly concerned 6