From Grand Rapids and Wyoming to Rockford, Sparta, Cedar Springs and Kent City, Kent County takes in 18 towns spread over 847 square miles of land. The ground rolls as you head away from the city, topping out at 1,048 feet at Fisk Knob Park in Solon Township. The homes vary just as much: single-family homes, split-level homes, townhouses, walk-up apartments and low-rise buildings.
Each of those home styles puts its stairs in a different place, and that decides which kind of lift will work. This page walks through what we look for in Kent County homes, how winter here affects outdoor steps, and which local and federal programs to call before you pay out of pocket.
A split-level home usually has short runs of stairs between floors instead of one long flight. Sometimes a single straight lift on the flight that matters most, often the one up to the bedrooms, solves the daily problem. If the stairs turn at a landing, a curved lift built to that staircase can carry someone the whole way without a transfer.
Townhouses in places like Kentwood, Walker and Grandville tend to have one straight flight between levels. That is the simplest install we do. We measure the width, check where the rail will sit, and make sure the chair folds out of the way for everyone else using the stairs.
Grand Rapids averages 75.6 inches of snow a year, including lake-effect storms. Icy porch and entry steps are where a lot of trouble starts, even for someone who manages fine indoors. An outdoor stair lift built for weather can take the place of walking those steps from November through spring.
On sloped lots out toward Lowell, Caledonia or Byron Center, the walk from driveway to door can include several sets of steps. For someone who uses a wheelchair, a platform lift is often a better fit than a seat, since the person stays in the chair. We look at the slope, the door and the landing before suggesting either one.
About 64.1 percent of Kent County households own their home, so a good share of residents rent. In a walk-up apartment or low-rise building, the stairwell is usually shared and belongs to the landlord. Any lift there needs the owner's written approval first.
Inside a rented townhouse or single-family home, a straight lift can often be removed later. Ask the landlord early, and keep a copy of your lease handy, since some local programs ask for it.
Roughly 13.8 percent of the county's 483,548 residents are 65 or older, and many of them still live in the homes where they raised families. Adult children often call us after a parent starts sleeping downstairs to avoid the steps.
If that includes your parent, start with Kent County Veterans Services at (616) 632-5722, because VA benefits have specific rules about stair lifts covered below.
None of the local programs below name stair lifts in their published materials, and the VA HISA benefit specifically excludes stair glides. That does not always rule out help, but it means you should ask directly before counting on it.
For residents 60 and older, Kent County Senior Case Management Assistance at (616) 632-7969 is a practical first call. They can point you toward Senior Millage services and Home Repair Services of Kent County. Statewide, people also ask about the MI Choice Waiver Program, MI Coordinated Health (formerly MI Health Link) and the MSHDA Property Improvement Program (PIP).
A Michigan Medicaid waiver for people 65 and older, or 18 and older with a disability, who need a nursing facility level of care but can live safely at home with support and who meet income and asset limits. Stair lifts are not listed in the source; in Kent County it is administered through the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan.
County tax funding for services that help Kent County residents 60 and older stay independent. Stair lifts are not listed in the source, so ask about home modification services when you call.
A referral and case management service for Kent County residents 60 and older, with help available in English and Spanish. It does not list stair lift funding, but it can route you to millage-funded and home repair services; call (616) 632-7969.
A nonprofit program for income-eligible Kent County households that lists wheelchair ramps, bathroom grab bars, handrails and bathroom modifications, with a co-payment based on income and job cost. Stair lifts are not listed; call (616) 241-2601.
A Center for Independent Living that offers home accessibility assessments and loans adaptive equipment such as walkers and bath chairs to Kent County residents with disabilities of any age. Stair lifts are not listed; call (616) 949-1100.
A VA benefit for enrolled patients with a medically necessary home accessibility need, with lifetime maximums of $6,800 or $2,000 depending on disability status. It does not cover stair lifts; the VA explicitly excludes stair glides and porch lifts.
Federal grants for veterans with qualifying severe disabilities, with FY2026 caps of up to $126,526 for SAH and up to $25,350 for SHA. Stair lifts are not named in the source; call Kent County Veterans Services at (616) 632-5722 for help applying.
The county office for veterans and their families, which also manages emergency financial assistance through the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Fund. Stair lifts are not listed, but this is the place to start for VA benefits; call (616) 632-5722.
Older adults
1335 W. Muskegon Dr., Muskegon, 49441
Veterans
836 Fuller Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, 49503
No. The VA excludes removable equipment such as portable ramps, porch lifts and stair glides from HISA. A veteran with a qualifying severe disability can ask about SAH or SHA grants instead through Kent County Veterans Services at (616) 632-5722.
Kent County residents 60 and older can use services funded by the Senior Millage. Start with Senior Case Management Assistance at (616) 632-7969, which can refer you to home modification help. Stair lifts are not listed in their materials, so ask directly.
Their accessibility page lists wheelchair ramps, bathroom grab bars, handrails and bathroom modifications, and does not mention stair lifts. Income limits apply and a co-payment is required. Call (616) 241-2601 to ask about your situation.
Disability Advocates of Kent County serves residents with disabilities of any age and offers home assessments at (616) 949-1100. The MI Choice Waiver also accepts people 18 and older with a disability who meet its other rules.
It depends on how the short flights connect. A straight lift on the most-used flight is often enough, while stairs that turn at a landing usually need a curved lift. We measure on site before recommending one.
Outdoor lifts are built for weather, which matters with Grand Rapids averaging 75.6 inches of snow a year. For a wheelchair user, a platform lift at the entry may be the better choice.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
