As a disabled veteran inheriting property from an ill parent, the strain of maintaining two households on a fixed income is overwhelming. Like so many others in our city, I own another property in Saint Cloud, close to Disney, which could serve as a considerable source of income through short term rentals. Unfortunately, the current regulations restrict us from utilizing this economic resource. We are not alone in this situation. Allow us to contribute to our families and our city. 

Short term rentals have the potential to boost local economies significantly. In 2019, Airbnb hosts alone earned over $2 billion worldwide. Moreover, Airbnb guests spent approximately $6.5 billion in the United States on restaurants and local shops (source: Airbnb's 2019 earnings report). Applying just a fraction of that success to Saint Cloud demonstrates the profound economic impact short term rentals could generate, benefiting homeowners and local businesses alike.

By legalizing short-term rentals, we would not only help struggling homeowners in the city but also contribute significantly to the local economy through increased spending and tourism-related taxes. Saint Cloud needs sustainable ways to foster economic growth while aiding its citizens. Legalizing short-term rentals is a win-win solution for everyone. Therefore, we call on our city officials to reconsider and relax the prohibitive regulations on short term rentals. We need your support to make this change - please sign this petition!