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
- Higher-wage, year-round youth jobs pilotPilot higher-paying, year-long youth jobs using the full $5 million set aside, since young people of color often help support their households.2024–25DorchesterYouth jobs & fellowships
- Loans for move-in costsPilot interest-free, partly forgivable loans covering first month, last month and security deposit so residents can afford to move out of bad housing situations.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Demolish and replace City HallTear down City Hall and replace it with a building the resident finds more attractive.2024–25Beacon HillOther or unclear
- Remove sculpture from the CommonRemove a sculpture the resident dislikes from Boston Common.2024–25Beacon HillOther or unclear
- Door-knocking organizers to prevent evictionsFund housing justice organizers to canvass areas with high eviction filings or luxury development and share residents' rights and resources to help families keep their homes.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Emergency rental assistance programContinue the emergency rental assistance tried during COVID to prevent homelessness from missed rent, which disproportionately affects poor people of color.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- More buses and more consistent bus serviceAdd more buses and make bus service more consistent on existing routes.2024–25City-wideTransit & getting around
- Simplify affordable housing applicationsWork with major affordable housing developers to redesign their applications, which are too hard to complete and disadvantage low-income and less-educated applicants.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Mental health programs for all ages in every communityResident asks for more mental health strengthening and educational programs for all ages in every community to support health and well-being.2024–25City-wideMental health & substance use
- Tax preparation classes for individuals and businessesResident asks for opportunities to learn to prepare personal and business taxes so they don't need to rely on expensive preparers.2024–25City-wideAdult jobs & small business
- Fund for first, last and security depositResident proposes a fund covering first and last month's rent and security deposits, prioritizing low-income residents or using sliding-scale payments, to remove a barrier to housing.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Paint speed bumps yellow for visibilityResident asks the city to paint speed bumps yellow so they are easier to see.2024–25City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Trees, trash cans and cigarette receptacles in ChinatownResident asks for more trees, trash cans and metal cigarette butt receptacles in Chinatown near I-90 to reduce litter, heat and pollution.2024–25ChinatownClean streets & restrooms
- Hot dog and cotton candy carts for policeResident suggests the city buy hot dog and cotton candy carts for the police department's ice cream truck used at neighborhood events.2024–25CharlestownOther or unclear
- Family Friday nights at library branchesResident proposes weekly Friday night family programming at all BPL locations, such as crafts, movies, live animal visits and singalongs.2024–25CharlestownLibraries, digital & civic life
- Expand library seed program with indoor growing focusResident asks to expand the BPL seed program to all branches, emphasizing seeds for indoor container growing such as herbs, alpine strawberries and Meyer lemons.2024–25CharlestownLibraries, digital & civic life
- Expand library museum pass programResident asks to expand the BPL's ICA and Gardner Museum passes from a few locations to all library branches.2024–25CharlestownLibraries, digital & civic life
- Bulk kites for community centersResident proposes buying kites in bulk and distributing them to children through city-run community centers.2024–25CharlestownYouth programs & schools
- Community food garden in Ringer ParkResident proposes a resident-tended, city-funded community garden in Ringer Park with hardy native edibles and desired produce, since Allston has few parks and no community gardens.2024–25AllstonParks, trees & climate
- Speed bumps on Warren StreetResident asks for speed bumps on Warren Street because some drivers speed and the area has many children, older adults and a preschool.2024–25CharlestownPedestrian & bike safety
- Prioritize cyclists and pedestrians citywideResident asks for bike-friendly signal timing, accessible crossings, and two-way cycling on one-way streets to make the city easier for disabled people and those without cars.2024–25City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Adult-size playgroundResident asks for a playground for adults with swings, slides, monkey bars and a merry-go-round to get adults active and support wellbeing.2024–25City-wideRecreation facilities & sports
- Redesign Kenmore Square for walking and bikingResident asks for a redesign of Kenmore Square prioritizing pedestrian and bike safety and new public spaces, since it is currently dominated by car space.2024–25FenwayPedestrian & bike safety
- Make blind path crossing safer with raised crossingResident says a path crossing is blind for west-bound drivers and south-bound bikes, the new speed bump is misplaced, and asks for a raised crossing, possibly one-way Minton, and a mirror.2024–25Jamaica PlainPedestrian & bike safety
- Mobile health clinics in Dorchester and BrightonResident asks for funding of mobile health clinics in Dorchester and Brighton to fill the gap left by hospital closures and improve care for underserved residents.2024–25DorchesterHealth care access