NEW: NYC Council Passes Legislation To Save 350K+ NYers Thousands of Dollars On Climate + Housing Upgrades

NEW YORK, NY (09/24/2026) (readMedia)-- Today, the New York City Council overwhelmingly passed Intro 1015, legislation that will save over 350,000 New York co-op and apartment owners thousands of dollars on necessary climate upgrades to their buildings. The legislation authorizes a new and improved version of the J-51 tax abatement program that expired in June of this year, expanding eligibility to nearly 100,000 more households through 2036 as they make improvements to their homes and comply with Local Law 97 (LL 97). Albany lawmakers already approved the program, meaning it will take effect once Mayor Mamdani signs it into law.

The report comes weeks after the Green Co-op Council released a new report and interactive tool for residents to see whether their building is eligible for the new J-51 program. See if your building is eligible here.

"To respond to the housing and climate crises, we must do everything in our power to preserve and retrofit New York City's aging building stock," said NYC Council Member Pierina Sanchez, Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings. "Today, we're doing just that by passing Intro. 1015 and extending the J-51 program-a tax benefit that could benefit up to 300,000 co-ops and condos, and rental buildings. I am proud to have led again the authorization of J-51, which will allow more owners to reach their emission targets under Local Law 97, without shifting the cost burden to their tenants, over a longer time window than previous versions. I applaud the Green Co-Op Council and our state partners for their leadership."

"The new J-51 program will protect New Yorkers from climate change while also saving them money. Now, thousands of homeowners can access green upgrades needed to comply with Local Law 97 and make their buildings more comfortable, sustainable, and affordable. We're proud to have fought for this important legislation, and we're incredibly grateful to Housing Chair Sanchez, Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung, and the entire Council for recognizing how climate and affordability go hand in hand," 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 LL 97 requires buildings to make energy efficient upgrades and cut emissions. The new J-51 tax abatement will make it more affordable for co-op boards and building owners to invest in healthier, more energy-efficient upgrades without breaking the bank so that residents can live in healthier, affordable homes that comply with LL 97. 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 - are eligible for the program. The bill ties eligibility to inflation, and also covers up to 100% of some projects instead of the previous 70% cap.

The Council's passage follows weeks of advocacy from New Yorkers and lawmakers who fought to expand this critical climate and affordability program. Earlier this month, the Mamdani administration joined a coalition of Councilmembers and advocates at City Hall to rally in support of the bill and release a new Green Co-op Council report showing how the new J-51 tax abatement will expand access to an additional 94,416 households.

Additional quotes from lawmakers and advocates supporting the passage of Intro 1015 are below:

"Today we delivered for the New Yorkers caught between two crises: skyrocketing housing costs and accelerating climate change. With J-51 reauthorized, more households can now afford boiler replacements, facade repairs, and energy upgrades that lower their bills, clean our air, and help their buildings meet Local Law 97. I'm grateful to Chair Pierina Sanchez for her leadership, Speaker Menin for moving this swiftly, and the Green Co-op Council and advocates who made sure the Council finished the job," said Majority Leader Shaun Abreu.

"Protecting our rent-stabilized homes and affordable co-ops means helping them make the repairs and improvements they need to last," said Council Member Chris Marte. "Expanding J-51 will help more buildings cover the cost of essential repairs and energy-efficiency upgrades while preserving affordability for the New Yorkers who call them home. I thank Speaker Menin and Council Member Sanchez for moving this legislation forward, and I am proud to vote yes to help keep our communities affordable while meeting our city's climate goals.

"I am a proud co-sponsor of legislation extending J-51, which is essential to meeting the goals of Local Law 97, and I am pleased it has passed the City Council. This program empowers co-op buildings, including more than 10,000 families in the North Bronx, to make the energy-efficient and climate-friendly upgrades we need to reduce pollution and fight climate change. With J-51 extended, thousands of buildings can save money on urgent capital repairs," said Council Member Eric Dinowitz.

"In District 18, I represent thousands of co-op residents who are feeling the everyday impact of rising building costs through their maintenance charges and household budgets," said Council Member Amanda Farías. "Boards need the ability to plan and complete necessary work without forcing working- and middle-class homeowners to shoulder the cost. Responsible climate policy pairs ambitious standards with a practical way to meet them, and Intro. 1015 gives eligible buildings that path while preserving tenant protections and public accountability. I am proud to co-sponsor Council Member Sanchez's legislation and support a J-51 program that treats housing preservation, affordability, and emissions reduction as interconnected responsibilities."

"CNYC is gratified that the City Council voted to pass legislation establishing a new and expanded J-51 program. It will provide much-needed financial support to homeowners in qualifying co-ops and condos," said Rebecca Poole, Director of Membership and Communication for the Council of New York Cooperatives & Condominiums (CNYC). The inclusion of the ten-year time frame and the escalator clause proposed by Governor Hochul and Senator Kavanagh, respectively, will help ease the pressure on co-op and condo boards who must plan capital projects around the expiration of their underlying mortgages, the useful life of their building systems, and city regulations. CNYC looks forward to helping eligible co-ops and condos understand and utilize the program."

"The J-51 tax abatement program will fund critical investments in NYC's middle class housing stock, helping these families live in a healthy, affordable NYC. We are especially excited about how these investments will reduce the indoor and outdoor air pollution that is causing or contributing to premature deaths, diseases and enormous health care costs," said Deepa Prasad, MPH, Co-Chair of the Climate Reality Project NYC Metro Chapter.

"J-51 is a major puzzle piece to ensure that Local Law 97 is implemented to its fullest potential. The building retrofits required by Local Law 97 are significant - programs like J-51 are exactly what the city needs to ensure every New Yorker can upgrade their home to lower climate-heating emissions, improve comfortability, and save big on energy costs. Affordability and climate are deeply intertwined, and J-51 is an important tool to address both," said Graham Gale, Food and Water Watch.

"It's a good day for New Yorkers: The new and improved J51 will help thousands benefit from lower bills, good jobs, and cleaner air in their homes, neighborhoods, and across the city. Thank you City Council for working to address the compounding affordability, public health, and climate change crises by helping homeowners navigate this necessary transition," said Cecilia Ellis, Policy and Communications Manager at NYPIRG.

"The costs are stacking up - energy bills are high, housing prices continue to spike, and mounting health impacts are invisible but deadly, especially for communities of color hit first and worst by our changing climate. This legislation offers a common-sense solution for all three: make it easier for co-op, condo, and affordable rental building owners to transition to clean energy and upgrade buildings. We thank City Council for taking swift action Council Member Sanchez for her leadership and urge the Council to take swift action to pass Intro 1015," said Jenille Scott, ALIGN Climate Director.