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New York City Council
Abatement of taxation for alterations and improvements to certain multiple dwellings
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
Council staff welcomes attendees to the New York City Council vote, asks everyone to silence phones, and instructs that no one approach the dais before inviting the chair to begin.
Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez identifies herself as chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings and announces that the committee will vote on proposed Intro 1015-A to improve and extend the J-51 tax abatement program.
Sanchez says aging New York City buildings are at the center of both the housing and climate crises, citing failing elevators, stranded seniors and disabled residents, roof boilers, electrical systems, and deadly fire hazards in the Bronx and Queens. She argues government must set safety standards while helping owners make needed investments.
Sanchez says Intro 1015-A would improve and extend J-51, a tax abatement for eligible multifamily housing including rentals, co-ops, and condos. She calls it a key tool for preservation, energy efficiency, and Local Law 97 compliance, noting the city dedicated $212.7 million to J-51 in fiscal year 2026.
Sanchez outlines the bill's three key changes: a 10-year extension for projects completed between June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2036; an increase from 80% to 100% recovery of reasonable rehabilitation costs; and a co-op/condo assessed valuation cap increase from $45,000 to $60,000 per unit, indexed to inflation. She says the program could reach over 300,000 co-op and condo units.
Sanchez says Intro 1015-A maintains accountability mechanisms for terminating or revoking benefits, including the affidavit of no harassment. She adds that the Council is adding comprehensive reporting on which buildings receive J-51, how much they receive, work categories, locations, and rental versus homeownership breakdowns.
Sanchez thanks the Green Co-op Council, State Senator Brian Kavanaugh, committee staff including Austin Malone, Billy Eck, Jose Conde, Dirk Spencer, Carla Naranjo, Mohamed Shadid, and Noah Slosberg, and her personal team. She gives a special farewell shout-out to legislative fellow Dylan Campos in his last stated meeting with the team.
Committee Clerk Ben Jacobs opens the roll call vote for Intro 1015-A. Chair Sanchez votes aye; the clerk records Council Member Riley as aye and calls Council Member Feliz.
Council Member Oswald J. Feliz votes aye and congratulates Chair Sanchez, calling the bill an important step to ensure affordable housing is in a clean, habitable, and safe condition.
The clerk calls Council Member Shaun Abreu, who votes aye and congratulates Chair Sanchez on the J-51 measure.
The clerk continues calling members for Intro 1015-A. Council Members Yusef Salaam and Susan Zhuang vote aye and congratulate the chair, and Carl Wilson votes aye. The vote stands at seven in the affirmative with none in the negative or abstaining.
Sanchez thanks the clerk and colleagues and says the committee will hold the vote open for a few more members. After a procedural pause, staff request a bouncer at the dais before the roll call resumes.
The clerk continues the roll call for Intro 1015-A. Council Member Crystal Hudson votes aye, Nantasha M. Williams votes aye and thanks the chair, and Virginia Maloney votes aye. The vote stands at 10 in the affirmative with no negative votes or abstentions.
After a brief pause, the clerk continues the roll call for Intro 1015-A and calls Council Member Rita C. Joseph; the next tally is 11 affirmative.
The clerk announces the vote at 11 in the affirmative, none in the negative, and no abstentions, and declares Intro 1015-A adopted.
Sanchez asks the clerk whether that constitutes a full committee, then thanks everyone and adjourns the hearing.