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
- Free restrooms and showers at busy MBTA stationsThe resident asks for free bathrooms with showers at the busiest MBTA sites, including the airport station, so unhoused people can be clean for job applications.2025–26City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Collect unpaid fines from absentee landlordsThe resident asks the city to collect over $12 million in unpaid property violation fines from absentee landlords, citing neglect, rats and neighborhood impacts.2025–26City-wideOther or unclear
- More free 24/7 public restroomsThe resident asks for more free public restrooms open 24/7 since stores require purchases, citing dignity, clean streets and diaper-changing needs for parents.2025–26City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Loan fund for immigration legal defense feesThe resident proposes piloting a loan fund in the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Advancement to cover legal fees for immigration defense and help prevent family separation.2025–26City-wideImmigrant & language support
- Address racism through educationThe resident wants to address racism by helping people who lack education or understanding of race to change their perspective and see others as equal.2025–26City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Put funding into housing for low-income residentsThe resident would spend available funds on housing so low-income people can afford homes.2025–26City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Expand composting to support community gardens and farmsThe resident asks to expand food composting and use it to grow community gardens and urban farms in food deserts, while cutting landfill methane.2025–26City-wideParks, trees & climate
- More food and housing aid for Shore Plaza familiesThe resident asks for more government assistance for food and housing for low-income families, specifically at Shore Plaza, who struggle to pay bills.2025–26East BostonAffordable housing & rent stability
- Lighting for Central Square park at nightThe resident asks for lights at Central Square park because many people feel unsafe walking through it in the dark.2025–26East BostonPublic safety & crime prevention
- More indoor basketball courts for youthThe resident asks for more indoor basketball courts where youth can socialize and have fun.2025–26East BostonRecreation facilities & sports
- Self-defense organization providing youth jobsThe resident asks for $1 million for a self-defense class organization that employs youth, because youth are more likely to be victims of violence.2025–26City-widePublic safety & crime prevention
- Dog park and cleaner streets in Fort HillThe resident asks for a double-gated dog park in Fort Hill, where none exists nearby, and cleaner neighborhood streets.2025–26RoxburyParks, trees & climate
- Protect housing stability for low-income tenantsThe resident is concerned that federal housing funding cuts could leave low-income, elderly and disabled tenants unable to cover rent gaps and wants housing retention protected.2025–26City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Anonymous payphone art installation at Boston CommonThe resident proposes a payphone near the MLK statue on Boston Common where people can anonymously share stories and spark community dialogue.2025–26RoxburyArts & culture
- Sustainable sewing classes for communitiesThe resident proposes hands-on sustainable sewing classes to reduce waste, teach skills and create economic opportunities in underserved communities.2025–26DowntownAdult jobs & small business
- Expand road diets citywideThe resident asks for road diets across the city, saying Black and brown neighborhoods are left out of bike lane and Vision Zero efforts.2025–26City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Picnic tables in public parksThe resident asks for picnic and patio-style tables in parks citywide so people can eat meals more easily than on benches.2025–26City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Bat houses along the EsplanadeThe resident asks for bat houses along the Esplanade to grow bat populations, teach about ecology and reduce mosquitoes.2025–26Back BayParks, trees & climate
- New bus route linking Forest Hills, Coolidge Corner, AllstonThe resident asks for a bus route from Forest Hills through Coolidge Corner to Allston/Brighton to improve access to jobs.2025–26Jamaica PlainTransit & getting around
- Sensory gym for neurodivergent childrenThe resident proposes a sensory-friendly gym offering safe, affordable play for autistic and neurodivergent children, especially in underserved Black and Brown communities.2025–26City-wideRecreation facilities & sports
- Expand tech, language and workforce training programmingAn organization asks to expand programming on technology access, language access and workforce development, with health and safety trainings, for underserved communities.2025–26City-wideAdult jobs & small business
- Free 24/7 public restrooms near transitThe resident asks for more free, accessible, regularly cleaned public restrooms open 24/7 near transit and stocked with sanitary products, citing safety and dignity.2025–26City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Public matching funds for small city election donationsThe resident asks for public matching funds for small-dollar donations in city elections to reduce the influence of wealthy donors.2025–26City-wideOther or unclear
- Congestion tax in downtown BostonThe resident proposes a congestion charge in downtown hub areas, like New York's, to encourage bus and train use and reduce traffic, and wants MBTA reliability improved.2025–26City-wideTransit & getting around
- More affordable after-school programsThe resident asks for more affordable after-school programs because many kids lack access.2025–26City-wideYouth programs & schools