The ongoing discussions and community unrest surrounding the project proposed for 119 Water St. in Warren has prompted an overarching discussion and Q&A session regarding the state’s affordable housing statute.

Rep. June Speakman (Warren, Bristol) told the Times-Gazette last week that she was planning a community conversation on affordable housing, to be held in the lower level of Warren Town Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. Her colleague, Rep. Jason Knight, will also be on hand, as will Town Manager Kate Michaud.

Rep. Speakman said that, although the conversation will not be focused on the 119 Water St. proposal, the need for a community conversation on the subject at large was certainly inspired by that project.

“I have talked with many members of the community about the 119 Water Street proposal, have followed the coverage in the Times-Gazette, and have watched the relevant Planning Board meetings,” she said. “At the last meeting, I heard Chairman [Frederick] Massie urge the audience to contact me with concerns about affordable housing legislation, and I heard then-Planner [Bob] Rulli suggest that state law was the cause of the current difficult situation.”

“The Water Street project is a local decision and will not be the subject of this conversation, but it does seems to be a good time to talk about state law, the housing crisis in Rhode Island, and some changes on the horizon in state housing policy,” she continued.