Explore resident ideas
Every idea residents submitted to Ideas in Action in 2024–25, 2025–26 and 2026–27. Search the words residents used, or narrow by cycle, theme, neighborhood, language or how the idea was submitted.
Themes grouped with AI from resident idea text. English titles and summaries written with AI.
3,748 ideas
- Workplace ESL classes for immigrant employeesResident asks for a pilot program bringing free ESL instructors to workplaces with many immigrant employees, with classes before, after or during shifts and childcare support.2025–26City-wideImmigrant & language support
- Free city immigration legal consultations and attorneysResident proposes a city office with scheduled free legal consultations for immigrants plus 20–50 experienced attorneys offering free counsel to those facing deportation, compensated by stipends or expense reimbursement.2025–26City-wideImmigrant & language support
- Mobile health and resource clinic for immigrantsResident proposes a retrofitted van with bilingual staff offering health screenings and help navigating insurance, housing and education for immigrant communities.2025–26City-wideHealth care access
- Address trash on streets and sidewalksResident reports frequent trash on streets and sidewalks that hampers mobility and harms the environment, and asks for greater attention to the problem.2024–25City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Long-term shelter with stipends for ages 16-28Resident asks for shelters serving a wider age range of 16 to 28 and long-term stays with a monthly stipend, noting young adults over 23 get little help.2024–25City-wideHomelessness & shelter
- Programs for affordable housingResident asks for programs that provide affordable housing, saying everyone deserves access to housing.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Build more basketball courtsResident asks for more basketball courts as a place for people to relieve stress and come together.2024–25City-wideRecreation facilities & sports
- Civics and political education at community centers for kidsResident wants community centers to teach children civics and political engagement so they understand they can change their communities.2024–25City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- More help repairing damaged streetsResident asks the City to do more to repair many damaged streets, saying the poor conditions seriously harm the community.2024–25City-wideStreet & sidewalk repair
- 24-hour free co-working space for artists and entrepreneursResident proposes a free, always-open co-working space for local artists and entrepreneurs in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan, giving low-income residents a place to meet, work and host events.2024–25DorchesterArts & culture
- Hire more therapistsResident asks for more therapists to be available.2024–25DorchesterMental health & substance use
- Youth drug use prevention programsResident is worried about substance use among young people and asks for more prevention programs and places where youth can get information about drugs.2024–25East BostonMental health & substance use
- Playground and basketball court upgrades in Roxbury and JPResident proposes design work, seating and drainage improvements, and basketball court resurfacing at playgrounds in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain to create healthier, more inclusive spaces for youth.2024–25Jamaica PlainRecreation facilities & sports
- Better lighting on all sidewalks and streetsResident asks that all sidewalks and streets be well lit to help prevent car accidents and pedestrian falls and improve public safety.2024–25City-widePublic safety & crime prevention
- Protected bike lanes in East BostonResident asks for protected bike lanes on Sumner Street, Meridian Street and Marginal Street to reduce car congestion during the tunnel closure and make biking feel safer.2024–25East BostonPedestrian & bike safety
- Remove residency requirement for library workersResident suggests ending the city residency requirement for Boston Public Library workers to ease cost-of-living pressures, improve retention and widen the pool of qualified, diverse candidates.2024–25City-wideOther or unclear
- Affordable bike and e-bike access for all residentsResident wants every Boston resident to have access to a bike, e-bike or other mobility vehicle meeting their needs, since e-bikes are often unaffordable for working-class people, as part of reducing car use.2024–25City-wideTransit & getting around
- Fund the Arboretum Gateway PathResident asks the City to fund the Arboretum Gateway Path to improve Roslindale residents' access to the Arnold Arboretum and the Southwest Corridor.2024–25Jamaica PlainParks, trees & climate
- New Stony Brook Reservation entrance via golf courseResident asks for access to Stony Brook Reservation through George Wright Golf Course, since Hyde Park residents across the street can be over 1.5 miles from an entrance.2024–25Hyde ParkParks, trees & climate
- Dog park or playground along West Roxbury ParkwayResident proposes a dog park and/or playground, buffered from traffic by shrubs and a fence, on open space along West Roxbury Parkway, which is state DCR land, so it becomes usable recreation space.2024–25RoslindaleParks, trees & climate
- Weekend hours at BCYF community centersResident asks for BCYF centers to open on weekends so youth and families can use them, saying current programming skews toward seniors.2024–25City-wideYouth programs & schools
- Two-way protected bike lane on Charles StreetResident asks for a two-way protected bike lane on Charles Street, noting there is no safe way to bike between the Common and Longfellow and the street has five car lanes.2024–25Beacon HillPedestrian & bike safety
- Road diet and bike lane on Walworth StreetResident asks to replace a lane of underused parking on Walworth Street with an uphill protected bike lane to slow speeding and help nearby housing residents without cars bike to Roslindale Square.2024–25RoslindalePedestrian & bike safety
- Pave potholes in the South EndResident asks the city to repair potholes in the South End, calling the roads very poor and a basic service need.2024–25South EndStreet & sidewalk repair
- Expand bike lanes to underserved neighborhoodsResident asks for bike lanes connecting lower-income communities and communities of color to existing networks in Downtown and Back Bay, offering a cheaper commute and more foot traffic.2024–25City-widePedestrian & bike safety