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
- Help with first, last and security move-in costsResident asks for support covering first, last and security deposits for low-income movers, noting program cuts and that RAFT does not always provide help.2025–26City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Community digital access with computers and printersResident asks for places like community centers where people can use computers and printers to build digital literacy, helping low-income residents, seniors, and students who cannot easily reach a library.2025–26City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Phone numbers for homeless and low-income residentsResident asks for help getting phone numbers for homeless and poor people so they can be reached for jobs and medical care, since Wi-Fi and Lifeline services fall short.2025–26City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Healing-centered engagement training for community membersResident asks for funding to train community members, such as those in barbershops, churches and schools, in healing-centered engagement to boost social-emotional support and community connection.2025–26City-wideMental health & substance use
- Better-timed pedestrian signals across the cityResident asks for well-timed, consistent pedestrian signals, including audible chirps for blind pedestrians, so people stop jaywalking and disabled and older residents can cross more safely.2025–26City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Virtual community events for homebound residentsResident asks for virtual community events like museum tours and game nights so people who cannot leave home due to mobility or immune issues can connect and reduce isolation.2025–26City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Inclusion Center for people with disabilitiesResident asks for an Inclusion Center where people with disabilities and advocates can get information, share ideas and access resources, since society is often not built with them in mind.2025–26City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Sidewalk repairs, ADA ramps, lighting and cleanupResident asks for repair of cracks and potholes, ADA curb ramps, LED street lighting, repainted crosswalks, more sorted trash bins, community cleanup support and professional rodent control.2025–26DowntownStreet & sidewalk repairSubmitted in Chinese
- Repair cracks and potholes near community hubsResident asks for repair of ground cracks and potholes in areas used by pedestrians and older adults, such as community centers, medical facilities and schools, to improve safety.2025–26ChinatownStreet & sidewalk repairSubmitted in Chinese
- Public restrooms near Ruggles T stopResident asks for public restrooms near Ruggles station because none are reliably accessible to riders, and the area becomes unsanitary, especially late at night and after large gatherings.2025–26FenwayClean streets & restrooms
- Repair cracks and potholes near community hubsResident asks for repair of ground cracks and potholes in areas used by pedestrians and older adults, such as community centers, medical facilities and schools, to improve safety.2025–26ChinatownStreet & sidewalk repairSubmitted in Chinese
- Repair cracks and potholes near community hubsResident asks for repair of ground cracks and potholes in areas used by pedestrians and older adults, such as community centers, medical facilities and schools, to improve safety.2025–26City-wideStreet & sidewalk repairSubmitted in Chinese
- Clean public restroom at Chinatown gateResident asks for a clean, safe public restroom near the Chinatown 'Tian Xia Wei Gong' gate.2025–26City-wideClean streets & restroomsSubmitted in Chinese
- City grants to make housing affordableResident asks the City to apply for grants it can use to make housing affordable regardless of social or racial background.2025–26City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Clean public restroom at Chinatown gateResident asks for a clean, safe public restroom near the Chinatown 'Tian Xia Wei Gong' gate.2025–26City-wideClean streets & restroomsSubmitted in Chinese
- Funded programs for better healthcare accessResident asks for funded programs that improve access to healthcare so people of any race or class can get needed care.2025–26City-wideHealth care access
- Repair cracks and potholes near community hubsResident asks for repair of ground cracks and potholes in areas used by pedestrians and older adults, such as community centers, medical facilities and schools, to improve safety.2025–26City-wideStreet & sidewalk repairSubmitted in Chinese
- Better maintenance of sports fieldsResident asks for better care of sports fields so they can be used at any time and anyone can play sports and be active.2025–26City-wideRecreation facilities & sports
- Free public transportationResident asks for free public transit because some people cannot afford cars, working parents cannot drive their kids, and youth want places to go without paying fares.2025–26City-wideTransit & getting around
- Protect small businesses from gentrification displacementResident asks for help keeping small local businesses, especially immigrant-owned stores, from being forced out by rising rents due to gentrification.2025–26City-wideAdult jobs & small business
- Clean public restroom at Chinatown gateResident asks for a clean, safe public restroom near the Chinatown 'Tian Xia Wei Gong' gate.2025–26ChinatownClean streets & restroomsSubmitted in Chinese
- More accessible parking near residents' homesResident asks for accessible parking near homes, saying non-residents, restaurant patrons and street cleaning make it hard for residents to find parking.2025–26East BostonTransit & getting around
- More affordable housing opportunitiesResident asks for more affordable housing so anyone can afford a place to live.2025–26City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Innovative outdoor public areas for youth and familiesResident asks for new public outdoor areas where youth and families can spend more time outside and feel safe and welcome.2025–26City-wideParks, trees & climate
- More patrols and cameras at Lo Presti ParkResident asks for more police patrols and security cameras at Lo Presti Park in East Boston to prevent fights during pickup soccer and basketball and keep families and youth safe.2025–26East BostonPublic safety & crime prevention