ICYMI: New Report Shows Council Bill Would Save 350K+ NYers Thousands on Critical Building Upgrades

NEW YORK, NY (09/14/2026) (readMedia)-- A new report from the Green Co-op Council shows that the new and improved J-51 tax abatement program will expand eligibility for nearly 100,000 households, ensuring more than 350,000 low- and middle-income New Yorkers can save thousands of dollars on necessary climate and energy-efficiency upgrades to their buildings through 2036. The report comes as the NYC Council considers passing Intro 1015, legislation that will make it more affordable for co-op boards and building owners to invest in healthier, more energy-efficient upgrades without breaking the bank.

Read the report and see if your building is eligible here.

"The new and improved J-51 program is exactly the kind of smart policy that protects New Yorkers from climate change while also saving them money. This program will help building owners make the necessary investments they need to so the next generation can live in cleaner, more sustainable homes without being priced out. The state already did its part, and now it's on the Council to finish the job by passing Intro 1015 into law," said Priya Mulgaonkar, Director at the Green Co-op Council.

New York City's aging, inefficient buildings are the city's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and biggest contributor to climate change, which is why Local Law 97 (LL 97) requires buildings to make energy-efficient upgrades and cut emissions. Earlier this year, Albany lawmakers re-authorized the J-51 tax abatement program, expanding eligibility so that thousands of middle-class co-op and apartment buildings - including all Mitchell-Lama housing - now qualify. The updated program ties eligibility to inflation, and also covers up to 100% of some projects instead of the previous 70% cap.

According to the report, the revamped J-51 tax abatement will expand access to co-ops and condos with an assessed value at or under $60,000 per unit, ensuring an additional 94,416 households can benefit from the program. The new version will cover more than 10,000 co-op and 5,000 condo buildings, including all Mitchell-Lama buildings and many rent-stabilized and rent-regulated buildings. The report also includes a new, interactive tool that residents can use to see whether their building is eligible for the new J-51 program once it is signed into law. Read the report and see the tool here.