New York Assembly Bill A09255

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/21/25
• Refer: 11/21/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Establishes the build up New York pilot program to provide grants to eligible municipalities that construct new accessory dwelling unit housing projects built on top of existing buildings that utilize mass timber and serve certain households; establishes the mass timber for affordable housing program to provide tax credits for eligible taxpayers who use mass timber in certain new construction or major retrofits of existing buildings that primarily serve households up to one hundred fifty percent of the area median income; establishes tax credits for mass timber production.

Impact

If passed, the FRAME Act will significantly amend the public housing law and the tax law in New York to implement the 'Build Up New York Pilot Program,' which includes grant provisions for municipalities and a new tax credit for participants in the mass timber program. These changes are intended to tackle the housing crisis by increasing the availability of affordable housing options and also to align with New York's climate goals by promoting the use of sustainable building materials. Advocates for the bill believe that using mass timber can reduce costs and accelerate housing production, thereby addressing urgent housing needs.

Summary

Bill A09255, known as the 'Facilitating Resilient Affordable Mass Timber Expansion Act' or 'FRAME Act', aims to establish a pilot program in New York to encourage the construction of affordable housing using mass timber, an engineered wood product that is both sustainable and efficient. The bill includes provisions for providing grants to eligible municipalities that construct new accessory dwelling units (ADUs) built on top of existing buildings. Furthermore, the bill facilitates an environment that promotes the use of mass timber in affordable housing projects through tax incentives and spurs investment in facilities that produce mass timber products within the state.

Contention

However, the bill has not been without its critics. There are concerns regarding the implementation of such programs and their potential impacts on local regulations, as well as the readiness of municipalities to comply with the characteristics demanded by mass timber construction. Some stakeholders worry about the efficacy of the pilot program in producing tangible benefits within a relatively short timeframe, and whether the proposed tax credits will be sufficient to encourage participation. As the state grapples with the challenge of affordable housing, the balance between innovative building practices and practical execution will be closely monitored.