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
- Set aside 1% of budget for participatory budgetingDedicate at least 1% of the City budget to participatory budgeting to fund needs of historically underinvested communities and address inequities.2024–25City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Boston credit union branches in more neighborhoodsOpen City of Boston Credit Union branches in Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, East Boston and Mattapan so residents need not travel to City Hall for full services.2024–25City-wideOther or unclear
- Promote vacant retail space to small businessesAdvertise vacant retail locations citywide to small business owners and emerging franchises to revitalize areas being left behind.2024–25City-wideAdult jobs & small business
- Rat control and more trees in AllstonUse rat birth control bait and proper trash storage to deal with rats, and plant more trees in downtown Allston with translation services so residents can choose locations.2024–25AllstonClean streets & restrooms
- Lower ferry fares to Boston Harbor IslandsReduce resident ferry costs to the Boston Harbor Islands, currently $25 per adult at peak times, so public access to the National Park is affordable.2024–25City-wideTransit & getting around
- Senior activities at Dorchester YMCAOffer senior activities such as bingo, cards and sewing at the Dorchester YMCA to bring the community together.2024–25DorchesterOlder adult support
- Year-round paid youth jobs and internships with equity criteriaExpand year-round good-wage jobs, paid internships and mentorship for youth, pay youth outreach workers to recruit, and use equity criteria so impacted youth can meet Boston's living costs.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- College application, SAT and student loan helpProvide lower-income students and families with college application help, SAT materials and tutoring, and education on student loans and repayment so they have the same opportunities as other students.2024–25City-wideYouth programs & schools
- Restore PCR testing and free at-home tests at librariesResident asks to bring back free PCR COVID-19 testing and fund libraries to always have free at-home tests, to limit spread among low-income people of color.2024–25City-wideHealth care access
- Community responders for 911 mental health callsResident asks for funding for trained community responders to handle 911 mental health calls instead of police, to reduce the risk of violent encounters.2024–25City-wideMental health & substance use
- Microforests at bus stops and long-wait intersectionsResident asks for microforests in low-shade areas, especially bus stops and intersections with long pedestrian waits, to cool urban heat islands and boost biodiversity.2024–25City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Protected southbound bike lane on Arlington or ClarendonResident asks for a protected bike lane on Arlington or Clarendon Street for southbound travel from Back Bay, since no equally safe route exists compared with Berkeley Street.2024–25Back BayPedestrian & bike safety
- Protected bike lanes on every city streetResident asks for lane-separated, barrier-protected bike lanes on every city street so people can travel safely through every neighborhood.2024–25City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Grants for first, last and security depositsResident asks for equity-based grants to cover move-in costs such as first, last and security deposits, and a shift of that burden toward landlords and realtors.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Plant more trees and plants in ChinatownResident asks for more trees and plants throughout the neighborhood because Chinatown is among the most polluted areas.2024–25ChinatownParks, trees & climate
- Affordable housing lottery counseling programResident asks for a housing counseling program that gives personalized guidance to residents navigating affordable housing lotteries, increasing access to stable housing.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Rooftop gardens using school lunch milk cartonsResident suggests creating rooftop gardens in Chinatown using milk cartons from free school lunches as planters, to green a heavily polluted neighborhood.2024–25ChinatownParks, trees & climate
- More rental subsidies with equity criteriaResident asks for more rental subsidies for people unable to find affordable housing, so long-time residents are not forced out given Boston's high rents.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Help residents seal eviction recordsResident asks for funding to help people apply to seal eviction records under the new law, including jobs and training for impacted residents to assist, plus outreach.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Property tax relief for senior citizensResident asks for property tax relief for seniors so they can stay in the city.2024–25City-wideOlder adult support
- Put all funds into participatory budgetingResident suggests putting all the money into participatory budgeting so the community can decide, for example by piloting programs or raising more money for youth.2024–25City-wideOther or unclear
- Accessory dwelling units for unhoused residentsResident asks for citywide accessory dwelling units to be used by unhoused residents so they have a bathroom and warm shelter, rather than as short-term rentals.2024–25City-wideHomelessness & shelter
- COVID tracking, masks and air purifiersResident asks for COVID resources to help people track illness, stay masked and clean indoor air with purifiers, protecting Black and brown residents with less medical access.2024–25City-wideHealth care access
- Housing support for homeless young people and familiesResident asks for resources and housing for young people and families facing homelessness or staying with friends, and suggests using the full $5 million for it.2024–25City-wideHomelessness & shelter
- Construction trades training for teens and adultsResident asks for construction trades and skills training programs for high school students and adults to expand opportunities and exposure for minorities in the industry.2024–25City-wideAdult jobs & small business