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
- Increase city funding for youth jobsResident asks for a larger share of city funding for youth jobs to give young people work experience and positive community activity, possibly reducing gang violence.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Expand free public Wi-Fi in underserved neighborhoodsResident asks for expanded free public Wi-Fi so low-income and historically disinvested neighborhoods can access education, telehealth and remote work.2026–27City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Safer surroundings for shops and community servicesResident asks for added lighting, road repair and better pedestrian facilities around shops, restaurants and community service sites so residents, especially elders and people with limited mobility, feel safe visiting.2026–27City-widePublic safety & crime preventionSubmitted in Chinese
- Repair broken Chinatown sidewalks near shopsResident asks for repair of cracked, uneven sidewalks in front of Chinatown businesses to reduce fall risk and improve accessibility for elders, wheelchair users, families and shoppers.2026–27DowntownStreet & sidewalk repairSubmitted in Chinese
- Citywide urban forestry and tree planting planResident asks for an urban forestry plan planting trees in neighborhoods that would benefit most, to reduce climate impacts, beautify streets and prioritize environmental justice in lower-income areas and communities of color.2026–27City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Health insurance for immigrantsResident asks for health insurance coverage to be provided for immigrants.2026–27City-wideHealth care access
- Funding for student housingResident asks for funding for living space for students so they can focus on studying rather than worrying about housing.2026–27City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Schedule road repairs at low-disruption timesResident asks that road repair work be scheduled when it will not disturb residents and when commuter pressure is low.2026–27FenwayStreet & sidewalk repairSubmitted in Chinese
- Cameras, emergency call posts and lighting in parksResident asks for high-definition cameras, emergency alarm posts and nighttime lighting in major parks and commercial areas to improve safety and create equal public spaces for all communities.2026–27City-widePublic safety & crime preventionSubmitted in Chinese
- Address nighttime safety concernsResident asks the city to fix the problem of some places feeling unsafe after dark.2026–27City-widePublic safety & crime preventionSubmitted in Chinese
- Cultural music concerts across the cityResident asks for concerts showcasing music from different cultural groups, to represent them and financially support and sustain their cultures.2026–27City-wideArts & culture
- Cultural music performances across the cityResident asks for cultural music performances to be held in neighborhoods across Boston.2026–27City-wideArts & culture
- Community music to reconnect neighborsResident asks for community music programs to rebuild connections lost since the pandemic and encourage respect and empathy outside school or work settings.2026–27City-wideArts & culture
- Cameras, emergency call posts and lighting in parksTranslated from Chinese: the resident asks for high-definition cameras, emergency call posts and night lighting in major parks and commercial areas to improve safety and give all communities safer public spaces.2026–27City-widePublic safety & crime preventionSubmitted in Chinese
- Schedule road repairs at low-disruption timesTranslated from Chinese: the resident asks that road repairs be scheduled at times that don't disturb residents and when commuter pressure is low.2026–27FenwayStreet & sidewalk repairSubmitted in Chinese
- Address homelessness around BostonThe resident raises homelessness in Boston as an issue to address, saying it supports social and racial equity, without specifying a solution.2026–27DowntownHomelessness & shelter
- North End placards telling all immigrant storiesThe resident asks for neighborhood placards and storytelling that broaden North End history beyond Colonial and Italian settlement to include all immigrant stories.2026–27North EndArts & culture
- More trash cans, pickups and street sweeping in North EndThe resident says tourist volume overwhelms current trash receptacles and asks for more trash cans, more frequent pickup and dedicated street sweeping to keep the neighborhood clean.2026–27City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Restore tree canopy on Hanover and Salem StreetsThe resident asks for a better tree canopy along Hanover and Salem Streets, where trees are missing or neglected and summers are hot.2026–27North EndParks, trees & climate
- Fund nonprofits that employ youth, including immigrantsThe resident asks for funding for nonprofits and community groups that employ young people, including fellowships for immigrant youth.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Pedestrian overpass at Andrew station over Southampton StreetThe resident asks for a pedestrian overpass so people can safely cross Southampton Street to reach Andrew station, benefiting residents and commuters.2026–27South BostonPedestrian & bike safety
- Pedestrian overpass to Moakley Park and Carson BeachThe resident asks for a pedestrian overpass so people, including schoolchildren and youth sports teams, can reach Moakley Park and Carson Beach without crossing dangerous crosswalks near JFK.2026–27DorchesterPedestrian & bike safety
- Restore $500,000 for youth jobs and fellowshipsThe resident asks to use $500,000 to restore funding for community organizations to offer school-year youth jobs and fellowships, supporting youth leadership and safe spaces.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- $500,000 for summer and year-round youth jobsThe resident asks for $500,000 to fund community groups, nonprofits and small businesses to hire and train youth, so low-income young people can earn income while staying in school.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Fund youth jobsThe resident asks for more funding for youth jobs, saying it helps minority families, prepares youth for adulthood and keeps kids off the streets.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships