By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

After declaring expanding affordable housing a top priority in this legislative session, Rhode Island’s House Speaker Thursday highlighted a package of 11 bills that he says would help address what he calls a housing ‘crisis’ in the state.

“We need all types of housing,” said Speaker Joseph Shekarchi. “We need mixed use housing, single-family housing, multi-family housing, low and moderate housing, public housing, affordable housing. We need more of a supply,” the Warwick Democrat said at a State House news conference.

“The need is dire,” said Brenda Clement, who heads the group Housing Works Rhode Island, which studies housing in the state. She held up a can of WD-40 lubricating spray, saying it earned its name by being the 40th attempt to develop the product, a staple in many homes, which she likened to the perennial effort to develop more housing in the state.

“Rents are too high,” said Rep. June Speakman, who chairs a special legislative commission studying the state’s housing laws.

“The cost of buying homes makes home ownership out of reach for young families. Too many people are paying far more than 30 percent of their income for housing. We need to build more, and build it where the need is greatest,” said Speakman, who represents parts of Warren and Bristol.”

The bills range from changes in the procedures for towns and cities to review applications for low or moderate income housing as well as zoning ordinances. But Shekarchi said a top priority is one measure that would create a new, cabinet-level so-called housing “czar”.

“We need somebody at the top to answer the questions, tell us what’s working, be held accountable for the money and how we can chart a course going forward,” Shekarchi said.