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
- Fund grassroots groups feeding food-insecure neighborsResident asks for funding for community-led groups like FAVOR in Roslindale that feed food-insecure residents and build neighborhood connections beyond what major food banks offer.2024–25City-wideFood access
- Citywide biking infrastructureResident asks for biking infrastructure throughout Boston to keep cyclists safe and give people without cars a connected, equitable way to get around.2024–25City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Durable trash barrels for small multi-unit housingResident asks the City to provide durable trash barrels for homes with three or fewer units in Allston-Brighton to reduce rodents and litter.2024–25AllstonClean streets & restrooms
- Financial and housing support for transplant candidatesResident asks for financial and housing support for patients awaiting organ transplants to remove social barriers affecting eligibility for BIPOC and disabled groups.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Expand Living Histories of Color banner projectResident asks for funding to expand Living Histories of Color to more libraries and to banners on lampposts along major corridors, later including Indigenous histories.2024–25City-wideArts & culture
- Free citywide PCR testing and library rapid testsResident asks for free citywide PCR COVID-19 testing, possibly flu testing, and free rapid tests at libraries because tests are costly and the virus hits low-income communities hardest.2024–25City-wideHealth care access
- Expand Downtown Crossing pedestrian zoneResident asks to expand the Downtown pedestrian zone to State/Court and Boylston/Essex and nearby side streets to create more shared space for people to gather.2024–25DowntownPedestrian & bike safety
- Youth mental health services and housing for at-risk youthResident asks for more youth mental health resources and more affordable housing for at-risk and unhoused youth, citing pandemic and housing crisis impacts.2024–25City-wideMental health & substance use
- Free face mask dispensersResident asks for free dispensers of quality masks and respirators to reduce airborne illness spread among communities with less access to protective equipment.2024–25City-wideHealth care access
- Early literacy programming reaching most children under 5Resident asks for early literacy programming that reaches at least 75% of children age 5 and under to improve kindergarten readiness and narrow the education gap.2024–25City-wideYouth programs & schools
- Speed humps on Fuller StreetResident asks for speed humps on Fuller Street because drivers speed, parked cars are hit, and children and elders are endangered.2024–25DorchesterPedestrian & bike safety
- Supportive housing for homeless youth and young adultsResident asks for a supportive housing initiative for homeless youth and young adults to address violence, addiction and depression and improve educational opportunity.2024–25City-wideHomelessness & shelter
- Day centers for unhoused residentsResident asks for day centers offering laundry, internet, snacks, hygiene products, health and wellness services, employment help and transitional housing links for people without homes.2024–25City-wideHomelessness & shelter
- Expand City of Boston rental voucher programResident asks to fund more City of Boston Voucher Program rental vouchers using equity criteria, since waits for other vouchers are long and shelter stays are tightening.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Financial and housing aid for transplant patientsResident asks for a program helping transplant patients with financial and housing barriers that make them ineligible for transplant or force choices between health and basic needs.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Increase participatory budgeting funding to $5 millionResident asks the City to spend $5 million rather than $2 million on participatory budgeting, to meet needs in communities hit by disinvestment and disparities.2024–25City-wideOther or unclear
- Youth jobs, housing resources and mental health supportResident asks for year-round, well-paid youth jobs, resources and housing for unhoused youth, and mental health support in youth programs, to address economic and social injustice.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Financial assistance for pre-transplant patientsResident asks for financial assistance for patients waiting for an organ transplant.2024–25City-wideOther or unclear
- Solar panel shade covers on bridge beamsResident suggests covering extended beams at the middle of a bridge with solar panels to provide shade for seating and generate electricity for bridge lights.2024–25CharlestownParks, trees & climate
- Miyawaki tiny forests in neighborhoods lacking green spaceResident asks for multiple tiny forests in neighborhoods with little green space to add greenery and reduce heat exposure in formerly redlined areas.2024–25City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Two-way bike lane on Aggaziz RoadResident asks for a two-way bike lane on the wide one-way Aggaziz Road, since the shared sidewalks are too crowded with pedestrians for biking.2024–25FenwayPedestrian & bike safety
- Pedestrianize Newbury Street like Montreal's Mont-RoyalResident proposes turning Newbury Street into a pedestrian street, modeled on Avenue Mont-Royal in Montreal.2024–25Back BayPedestrian & bike safety
- Off-street bike parking in downtown BostonResident asks for bike valets or high-capacity bike parking in converted garage space at Downtown Crossing, North Station and Post Office Square to encourage biking.2024–25DowntownTransit & getting around
- Housing vouchers and rent-matching subsidy fundResident asks for housing vouchers for anyone, especially homeless and rent-burdened people, plus a matching fund to subsidize rents where market rates are charged.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Reduce brightness of overly bright streetlightsResident asks the city to evaluate all streetlights and dim those brighter than needed to reduce light pollution, electricity use and emissions.2024–25City-wideParks, trees & climate