The Boston City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that calls for vacant city buildings to be redeveloped into affordable housing as a “first priority” before other proposals.

The Council voted, 12-0, Wednesday for an ordinance to “prioritize surplus municipal property as affordable housing” to address what the lead sponsor and Council President Ruthzee Louijeune described in a related order as the city’s “severe and ongoing housing affordability crisis.”

“This ordinance is about reimagining public assets as part of the solution, ensuring that when municipal properties are no longer needed for city operations they’re repurposed transparently and thoughtfully to create affordable housing and strengthen our neighborhoods,” Louijeune said.

“Our city owns countless buildings and parcel

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