The developer of Port Landing, a 20-unit apartment complex containing 100 percent affordable units in Cambridge, said a proposed citywide zoning overlay would clear the way for more such projects. Photo courtesy of Patrick Rogers Photography

Housing activists are looking to pro-development candidates in Cambridge’s November election following the city council’s decision not to act upon a proposed citywide affordable housing overlay district.

Councilors on Tuesday tabled a proposal to allow developers to build 100 percent affordable housing projects on any parcel within the city, including single-family zones.

Supporters including the pro-housing A Better Cambridge group said the measure would have allowed affordable housing specialists to compete with for-profit developers when bidding on parcels.

“We believe that increased affordable housing production is a critical need for the city. Sadly, with the current council, it seems that some councilors are unwilling to make the necessary tradeoffs in order to support affordable housing,” Alexandra Markiewicz, co-chair of A Better Cambridge’s board of directors, said in a statement.

The proposal would have increased building heights and allowed as-of-right approval for multifamily buildings in all neighborhoods if all of the units in a project were income-restricted.

The proposal needed support from six out of nine city councilors to pass. Proponents say they will focus their efforts on electing candidates who support the measure. A Better Cambridge is hosting a forum at 6 p.m. tonight at the Cambridge Public Library, at which 18 candidates, including seven incumbents, are scheduled to discuss housing topics.

“Sadly, with the current council, it seems that some councilors are unwilling to make the necessary tradeoffs in order to support affordable housing. This fall, ABC AF will be working to help elect councilors who support affordable housing – not in their words, but in their votes,” A Better Cambridge’s political action fund tweeted.