VRMA Awards Advocacy Fund Grants to Support Short-Term Vacation Rental Policy Efforts in Four States

1/20/2026

Funding will advance fair, balanced regulations benefiting communities and the short-term rental industry

Tuesday, January 20

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) today announced that four organizations have been selected to receive grants from the VRMA Advocacy Fund, which provides financial support to advance fair and balanced regulations that benefit both local communities and the short-term vacation rental (STR) market.

Each of the four partner organizations will receive funding to initiate or continue legislative, regulatory, or ballot initiatives designed to strengthen and grow the industry while supporting the economic vitality of their communities. These efforts go beyond addressing challenges, they create new economic opportunities and help establish meaningful, positive precedents for the broader industry.

VRMA’s Fall 2025 Advocacy Fund grant recipients:

Florida Professional Vacation Rental Coalition (FPVRC) will engage and educate legislators on the benefits and operational practices of professional vacation rental management. As one of the nation’s most prominent tourism destinations, Florida presents an opportunity to advance commercial definitions and address restrictive tax policies affecting the industry.
Hawaiʻi Mid- and Short-Term Rental Alliance (HIMAST) will conduct a housing impact study to collect critical data on stays of 30-180 days. With little to no data currently available for mid-term rentals, the study will establish a baseline of verifiable, reliable information to help inform state regulations and legislation.
Missouri Vacation Home Alliance (MOVHA) will re-file House Bill 1086, statewide legislation aimed at overturning the county-level reclassification of vacation rentals as commercial property—an action that has negatively impacted property owners across Missouri.
Texas Short-Term Rental Association (TXSTRA) will prepare and advance statewide preemption legislation, supporting a disciplined and credible advocacy campaign to promote consistent regulatory standards.

"The short-term vacation rental market is vital to local and national economies, and we are proud to provide these organizations with the resources they need to strengthen advocacy efforts in their states,” said Anne Gardner, VRMA’s executive director. “We listen closely to our members, and we remain committed to ensuring people and businesses have strong representation as they work to protect and grow our industry."

VRMA is the world’s largest community for short-term vacation rental professionals. In addition to delivering education, networking opportunities, and industry research, advocacy is a core pillar of VRMA’s mission. The VRMA Advocacy Fund is one of two grant programs from the association and its advocacy initiatives include economic impact studies, legislative engagement, member resources, and coalition-building efforts across the country.

Throughout 2026, the four Advocacy Fund awardees will work alongside policymakers and community stakeholders to improve regulatory frameworks at the local and state levels. Their efforts will have nationwide relevance and will be highlighted during VRMA’s Annual Conference, taking place October 4-6, 2026, in Nashville.

About VRMA
The Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) is the leading professional trade association for the short-term vacation rental property management industry. VRMA advances the interests of professional managers, their suppliers, and the broader vacation rental ecosystem through advocacy, education, research, and events. VRMA members manage short-term rental properties across North America and beyond, representing a diverse and rapidly growing segment of the travel and hospitality economy. To learn more, visit www.vrma.org.

Media Contact:
Brendan Creamer
Marketing & Communications Manager
Vacation Rental Management Association
bcreamer@vrma.org