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
- Pay youth to help seniors with yard workResident proposes paying youth to help seniors cut grass, take out trash and shovel snow, benefiting both groups.2024–25MattapanOlder adult support
- Well-paid 12-month youth job grantsResident asks for grants for youth jobs lasting 12 months rather than 8 and paying well, since youth of color help support their families.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Snow shoveling for seniors and flashing stop signsResident asks for snow shoveling help for seniors and flashing stop signs.2024–25DorchesterOlder adult support
- Housing resources for young people and families without stable housingResident asks that young people and their families lacking stable housing be given resources and housing.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Senior home repair help and trusted contractor listResident asks for a program helping seniors with home repairs, including a list of senior-friendly contractors.2024–25City-wideOlder adult support
- Plant greenery in Chinatown alleywaysResident asks for more greenery in unused pockets and alleyways in Chinatown to help cool the area and reduce litter.2024–25ChinatownParks, trees & climate
- Senior activities in parks with transportationResident asks for senior-friendly park activities such as arts and crafts, chair yoga and evening concerts, with transportation provided.2024–25City-wideOlder adult support
- Improve Strand Theater to attract new operatorResident asks for investment in the Strand Theater's seating, sound and facilities so a new operator can run events serving the neighborhood's many cultures.2024–25DorchesterArts & culture
- Salinity meters in Jamaica Pond for road saltResident proposes installing salinity meters in Jamaica Pond or another Emerald Necklace pond to monitor road salt runoff and inform city maintenance plans.2024–25Jamaica PlainParks, trees & climate
- Financial planning and legal help for wills and trustsResident asks for financial planning and legal assistance programs for wills and trusts to protect resources for future generations.2024–25City-wideAdult jobs & small business
- Speed bumps near Mildred Ave community center and schoolResident asks for speed bumps near the Mildred Avenue community center and school.2024–25MattapanPedestrian & bike safety
- Convert private ways to public streets without owner costResident asks for a way to turn a private way into a public street without the owners bearing the cost.2024–25MattapanStreet & sidewalk repair
- Benches at South Bay bus stopsResident asks for benches at bus stops in South Bay.2024–25DorchesterTransit & getting around
- Bring back citywide PCR Covid testingResident asks the City to restore citywide PCR Covid testing.2024–25City-wideHealth care access
- Marketing and branding help for small businessesResident asks for programming that supports small business owners with marketing and branding.2024–25City-wideAdult jobs & small business
- Spend full $5 million on participatory budgetingResident urges the mayor to put the entire $5 million into participatory budgeting so the community can fund what it values.2024–25City-wideOther or unclear
- Remove bike lanes and fix River Street bridgeResident asks to remove bike lanes in congested neighborhoods and repair or replace the River Street/Hyde Park Avenue bridge, citing long car travel times between Hyde Park and Roxbury.2024–25City-wideTransit & getting around
- Year-round, better-paying youth jobsResident asks for year-round youth jobs that also pay better.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Year-round youth jobs pilot at $18-$24 per hourResident asks for a pilot of year-round youth jobs paying $18-$24 an hour and for spending the full $5 million on participatory budgeting rather than $2 million.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Senior activities and outings with transportationResident asks for more senior-friendly activities and outings with transportation because many older people are lonely.2024–25City-wideOlder adult support
- Grants for 12-month youth jobsResident asks for grants so youth can work all 12 months instead of 8, giving security and more income to support families.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Public indoor playgrounds for childrenResident asks for free indoor children's play spaces across the city, especially for winter, so families who can't pay for private options have access and neighbors connect.2024–25City-wideYouth programs & schools
- Year-round youth jobs with mental health supportsResident wants youth jobs that last year-round, with added mental health supports in jobs and youth programs, and urges spending the full $5 million on participatory budgeting.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Miyawaki tiny forests in areas lacking green spaceResident proposes tiny Miyawaki forests and other heat-island reduction measures in neighborhoods with little green space, including previously redlined areas, to reduce heat exposure.2024–25City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Reinstate Greater Boston step competition for studentsResident asks to bring back a tiered step competition for middle and high school students to promote culture, physical activity, mental health and social connection.2024–25City-wideYouth programs & schools