Los Alamos and White Rock sit on volcanic mesas in the Jemez Mountains, cut apart by steep canyons. Much of the housing went up during and after the Manhattan Project and Cold War years for Los Alamos National Laboratory staff. That left the county with a large stock of older single-story and split-level homes.
Those homes now hold a lot of long-time owners. As of the 2020 census, 18.1% of residents were 65 or older, and 74.7% of housing units were owner-occupied. If stairs inside the house or steps up to the front door are getting harder, this page walks through what kind of lift fits the homes here and where to look for help paying for one.
A split-level home usually has two or more short flights instead of one long staircase. Each short flight that runs straight can often take a straight stair lift, which is the simplest and quickest type to install.
If a flight turns at a landing, or if you want one lift to carry you past a landing to the next level, a curved lift built to the shape of your stairs is usually the answer. We measure every flight before recommending anything, because older homes often have stairs that are not quite standard.
The county covers 109 square miles of elevated, mountainous ground, and it is the smallest county by area in New Mexico. Homes built on mesa tops and canyon edges often have steps up from the driveway or down to a back door, even when the house itself is one story.
For those outside steps, an outdoor stair lift built for exposure to the weather is one option. When someone uses a wheelchair and cannot transfer to a seat, a platform lift may make more sense. We look at the slope, the number of steps and the space at the top and bottom before suggesting either.
Townhouses and walk-up apartments are part of the housing mix in both Los Alamos and White Rock. A townhouse staircase is often a single straight run, which suits a straight lift well.
Walk-up apartments can be different, since the stairs may be shared. If you do not own the stairway, talk with the building owner or association before planning an installation.
The clearest funding source is for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities. The VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH), Special Home Adaptation (SHA) and Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grants fund changing a home to meet a veteran's needs.
For older adults who are not veterans, start with the Non-Metro AAA (Region I) in Santa Fe at (505) 827-7640, or the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of New Mexico at (800) 432-2080. They can explain state options such as Medicaid waivers.
Other statewide names worth asking about include Access Loan New Mexico (NM Technology Assistance Program) and VA Benefits for Veterans (HISA + Prosthetics). Each program below lists what the source says about home modifications.
A federal grant of up to $126,526 (FY2026 cap), usable across up to 6 projects over a lifetime, for veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities who own or plan to own the home. It funds home modifications, and stair lifts are counted as covered.
A federal grant of up to $25,350 (FY2026 cap) for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities such as loss of both hands, severe burns or certain respiratory injuries. It funds permanent home modifications, including stair lifts.
For SAH- or SHA-eligible veterans temporarily living in a family member's home, this grant pays up to $50,961 or $9,100 respectively to adapt that home. Stair lifts are counted as covered under the same home-adaptation rules.
A self-directed program for veterans enrolled in VA primary care who are at risk of nursing-home placement, with a budget set with a VDC Program Coordinator. The source does not mention stair lifts or home modifications; call (800) 432-2080.
A free information and referral service for any New Mexico older adult, person with a disability or caregiver. The source does not mention stair lift funding, but it is a good first call at (800) 432-2080.
A zero-percent-interest, deferred-payment, forgivable loan for owner-occupied homes with household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income; the source does not mention stair lifts. The source listed the Los Alamos County waiting list as closed as of 2026-08-01, so check current status at (505) 767-2233.
A nonprofit offering advocacy, independent living skills training, peer support and information and referral across nine northern New Mexico counties; the source does not confirm Los Alamos County is included. It does not mention stair lifts, so call (800) 737-0330 to ask.
Older adults
2550 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe, 87505
Veterans
301 West De Vargas Street (Workforce Connections Bldg), Santa Fe, 87501
Usually, yes. Straight short flights can often take a straight lift each. If a flight turns at a landing or you want one lift to run past the landing, a curved lift is typically needed.
Many homes on mesa-top and canyon-edge lots have this setup. An outdoor stair lift can handle entry steps, and a platform lift is an option if a wheelchair user cannot transfer to a seat.
No VA facility is listed for the county. The nearest state veterans office is the NMDVS Veterans Service Office - Santa Fe at 301 West De Vargas Street (Workforce Connections Bldg), phone (505) 476-7905.
Try the Non-Metro AAA (Region I) at 2550 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe, (505) 827-7640, or the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of New Mexico at (800) 432-2080.
Its program page covers code-compliance, health and safety, structural, sanitation and mechanical repairs and does not mention stair lifts. The Los Alamos County waiting list was listed as closed as of 2026-08-01, so call (505) 767-2233 for current status.
Yes, if they qualify. The VA Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant covers SAH- or SHA-eligible veterans temporarily living in a family member's home, up to $50,961 or $9,100.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
