Other or unclear
Ideas that are off-topic, unclear, too general to classify, or outside the City's role.
Residents in this catch-all theme mostly make broad or unclear asks for community help, cost relief, or ways to spend the $2 million, plus requests outside the City's role.
Theme grouped and summary written with AI from this theme's resident ideas.
169 ideas across three cycles
| Cycle | Ideas | Share of all ideas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 71 | 5.8% | 7 of 20 |
| 2025–26 | 52 | 4.3% | 11 of 20 |
| 2026–27 | 46 | 3.5% | 14 of 20 |
Needs that keep coming back
General help for the community
Residents ask for more opportunities, services or resources for their community without naming a specific project, so the ideas cannot be classified further.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Ideas about how the participatory budgeting money is used
Some residents urge more or all of the budget go to participatory budgeting, while others propose giving the $2 million to a single cause or organization.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Direct financial relief for residents
Residents ask for cash support, debt or fee relief, or other help with living costs, often with few details on how the City would deliver it.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Property tax cuts and returning surplus funds
Residents ask the City to lower property taxes or return surplus money to taxpayers instead of spending it.
Raised in 2024–25, 2026–27
Specific private businesses and food options
Residents ask for particular chains, late-night food, or drinking venues, which are private business decisions rather than City projects.
Raised in 2025–26, 2026–27
2024–25
Cycle 1 had the most ideas and the widest spread, including reentry and legal support, stadium and credit union proposals, and several unclear or joke submissions.
2025–26
Cycle 2 included many empty or one-word submissions alongside cash-payment proposals, public funding for election campaigns, and requests for specific shops and restaurants.
2026–27
Cycle 3 saw more requests about stray animals and spay/neuter services, more property tax relief asks, and a cluster of requests for chain restaurants in Dorchester.
New in 2026–27
Animal-related asks, such as spay/neuter services, rescue grants and a dog shelter, and property tax relief requests grew noticeably in 2026-27.
Funding so far
No winning projects relate to this theme, so none of the recurring asks (general community help, cost relief, tax cuts, animal services, how the budget is spent) has been addressed by a resident-voted project.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
No winning project has addressed this theme yet.
Ideas in Other or unclear
169 ideas
2024–25: 71 · 2025–26: 52 · 2026–27: 46
- Cleaner community, affordable housing, transportation and educationResident asks for a cleaner community along with affordable housing, transportation and education, so that benefits are equal across races.2024–25City-wide
- Unclear idea for childrenThe idea says only 'For the children' with a 'social' benefit, so the specific request is unclear.2024–25City-wide
- Build Revolution soccer stadium in BrocktonThe resident asks for a New England Revolution soccer stadium at the Brockton Fairgrounds, which is outside Boston, citing equity and inclusion benefits.2024–25Unspecified
- Convert gas stations to household goods refill stationsThe resident suggests turning gas stations into refill stations for household goods like shampoo and soap, since electric cars reduce the need for gas.2024–25City-wide
- Change construction hours to reduce noiseThe resident asks for different construction hours so that neighbors can sleep without being disturbed by noise.2024–25South End
- WNBA team for BostonThe resident says Boston needs a WNBA team.2024–25City-wide
- Prioritize needs of elders, women, children and disabledThe resident's idea is unclear but suggests prioritizing services for elders, retirees, women, children and people with disabilities and questioning the intent of programs.2024–25City-wide
- Luggage lockers for touristsResident asks for lockers where tourists can store bags while touring for a day.2024–25City-wide
- More accessible buildings with ramps and elevatorsResident asks for buildings to be made more accessible for people with disabilities, with ramps and elevators.2024–25City-wide
- Make police license plates legibleResident asks that police license plates be repainted with readable colors, saying blue on blue is hard to read and limits community oversight.2024–25City-wide
- Study of nonprofits' impact on Boston educationFund a city study of how nonprofits affect Boston education, particularly in relation to gentrification and public funding.2024–25City-wide
- Independent office to review city initiativesCalls for an independent office, separate from the Mayor and councilors, to assess city initiatives before implementation as a check and balance.2024–25City-wide
- AI language learning platform Happy PlumPromotes a private AI-powered, gamified language learning platform that saves teachers time and gives parents progress tracking.2024–25City-wide
- Legal assistance for all (unclear)Mentions viable legal assistance for all residents with a removed link; the specific request is unclear.2024–25City-wide
- Link to another account with climate ideasShares a social media profile with more ideas and expresses support for citywide action on the climate crisis, without a specific proposal.2024–25City-wide
- Officials collaborate on best practicesAsks the Mayor, Police Commissioner and other officials to network with state, federal and private partners on best practices to improve Boston.2024–25City-wide
- Biblical justice (unclear)The submission only references 'Biblical Justice' and a removed link, without a specific request.2024–25City-wide
- City liaison to DCR for resident concernsRequests a dedicated person to connect residents with the state DCR about streets it controls, since residents currently have no good way to raise concerns.2024–25City-wide
- Exclude Haitian and transgender people from servicesResident asks that Haitian immigrants and transgender people be barred from shelters, jails and restrooms and that Haitians be sent home, citing unsupported safety claims; this targets groups and is outside the program's scope.2024–25City-wide
- Investigate employer misuse of employment lawsResident asks for investigation of employers' alleged abuse of at-will employment, insubordination letters, retaliation and related practices, which can lead to poverty, homelessness and mental health problems.2024–25City-wide