In Rockingham's historic core, two-story homes like the 1838 Steele-Johnson-Cole House and the 1853 Leak-Wall House still climb on their original interior staircases. Drive out toward Ellerbe, Hoffman or Cordova, and the picture changes to single-story ranch houses, mill-village-era homes and manufactured homes spread across the Sandhills.
That mix decides what kind of help a home needs. Some Richmond County households need a lift on an inside staircase. Many others have no inside stairs at all but face porch steps every day. This page walks through both, along with the programs in the county and state that may help cover the cost.
The Rockingham Historic District covers 165 acres, with 181 contributing buildings and 1 contributing site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 21, 1983, and its homes run from the early 1800s through the mid-20th century in Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals, mixed multi-period revival styles and Bungalow designs.
Two-story houses from that era are the most common stair lift candidates in the county. If the staircase runs in one straight line, a straight rail is usually the simpler fit. Staircases that turn at a landing or wrap around a corner call for a curved rail built to that exact stair.
We measure the staircase in person before recommending anything. In an older house, the width of the stairs, the landing layout and what sits at the top and bottom all shape the choice.
Much of the county's housing outside the historic core is single-story. Ranch homes, mill-village-era houses and manufactured homes in places like Hamlet, East Rockingham, Dobbins Heights and Roberdel often have no interior stairs, so an indoor stair lift may not be needed.
The trouble spot in these homes is usually getting in the door. Raised porches and entry steps can be the hardest part of the day. In those cases, an outdoor lift, a platform lift or a ramp is often the better conversation to have.
Townhouses, walk-up apartments and low-rise buildings also appear in the county. In a rental or shared building, the owner or manager typically needs to approve any installation before work starts.
Richmond County covers 473.69 square miles where the Piedmont, the Sandhills and the Coastal Plain meet, with the Uwharrie Mountains along the western border. Large areas are forest, including much of the Sandhills Game Land and the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, and the Great Pee Dee River and Blewett Falls Lake shape the land.
Homes are far apart, and the drive to healthcare and aging services can be long. For many families, fixing the stairs at home is more practical than moving closer to town.
About 16.8% of residents are 65 or older, and 59.9% of households own their homes. For those owners, a lift or a porch solution can be the step that lets a parent keep living in a familiar house.
The median household income in the county is $44,883, the poverty rate is 25.2% and the median home value is $127,800. Those numbers make outside funding worth looking into before paying out of pocket.
Two programs name accessibility modifications directly: NC Medicaid CAP/DA and the NCHFA Displacement Prevention Partnership. USDA Section 504 and the Habitat for Humanity Urgent Repair Program fund repairs and accessibility work but do not name stair lifts, so confirm with them before counting on it.
The VA HISA grant does not pay for stair glides or porch lifts, but it can fund permanent changes like ramps. The Richmond County Veterans Service Officer at 127 Caroline Street in Rockingham, (910) 997-8232, can help sort out which VA benefit fits.
If you do not know where to begin, Richmond County Aging Services at (910) 997-4491 can point you toward the right program.
A Medicaid waiver for adults 18 and older who meet a nursing-facility level of care, with an 'Equipment, Modification and Technology' category for home modifications where a stair lift request would fall. Call (833) 470-0597 to find the Richmond County case-management provider.
The Area Agency on Aging for Richmond County and neighboring counties, serving older adults, typically 60 and up; it lists Housing & Home Repair but does not mention stair lifts. Call (910) 775-9700 to ask what home-modification help is funded now.
The county department that runs senior centers, in-home aide, home-delivered meals, SHIIP counseling and referrals; it does not list a stair lift program but is a good first call. Reach it at (910) 997-4491.
Loans up to $40,000 at 1% and grants up to $10,000 for very-low-income homeowners 62 and older in eligible rural areas like Richmond County. The source lists ramps and accessibility improvements but does not name stair lifts, so confirm with the local Rural Development office.
A state program for permanently disabled homeowners who need accessibility modifications to live safely at home, which covers the kind of work a stair lift falls under. Call (919) 877-5700 to find the local delivery partner.
A VA grant of up to $6,800 or $2,000 for medically necessary permanent alterations like ramps and roll-in showers. It does not cover stair lifts, stair glides or porch lifts.
Grants of up to $126,526 (SAH) or $25,350 (SHA) for veterans with qualifying severe service-connected disabilities to buy, build or change a permanent home. The VA page does not name stair lifts among its examples.
Funds urgent repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners who are frail elderly or disabled and have lived in the home at least one year; stair lifts are not named. Call (910) 295-1934 to ask about the Aging in Place application.
A statewide program for all ages offering device demonstrations, short-term loans and reuse of equipment. It does not mention funding for stair lifts or structural modifications. Call (919) 855-3564.
Older adults
130 Gillespie St., Fayetteville, 28301
Veterans
127 Caroline Street, Rockingham, 28380
It may through CAP/DA, which covers minor home modifications for safety and accessibility for adults who meet a nursing-facility level of care. The 2026 single-applicant income limit is $1,330 a month. Call (833) 470-0597 to find the local case-management provider.
The HISA grant does not; the VA specifically excludes stair glides and porch lifts. The SAH and SHA grants fund changes to a permanent home but do not name stair lifts. The Richmond County Veterans Service Officer at (910) 997-8232 can review your options.
Yes. CAP/DA serves adults 18 and older, the NCHFA Displacement Prevention Partnership serves permanently disabled homeowners, and NCATP serves residents of all ages.
Probably not inside, but porch and entry steps can still be a problem. Many single-story and manufactured homes in the county are better served by an outdoor lift, a platform lift or a ramp.
Older two-story homes with original staircases are some of the most common candidates in the county. Straight stairs usually take a straight rail, while stairs that turn need a curved rail fitted to the staircase after we measure it.
Richmond County Aging Services at (910) 997-4491 is a local starting point that can refer you to CAP/DA, the Lumber River Area Agency on Aging or other help.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
