Queens is a borough of stairs. Attached rowhouses in Woodhaven, two-family homes, prewar co-ops and walk-up apartments all put steps between people and their bedrooms, bathrooms or front doors. In neighborhoods like Forest Hills Gardens, the multi-story Tudor- and Colonial-style houses from the early 20th century were built with grand staircases, not aging in place, in mind.
This page walks through what that housing means for a stair lift, from a straight run in a rowhouse to entrance steps outside a building. It also lists the New York programs that may help pay, with the phone numbers to call. Because people here tend to identify with their own neighborhood more than with Queens as a whole, many of these resources are reached locally, so knowing the right office matters.
Many Queens rowhouses and two-family homes have a single straight flight between floors. That is usually the simplest setup: a straight stair lift runs on a rail fastened to the stair treads, not the wall.
Older single-family homes often have landings, turns or a split staircase. Those need a curved lift with a rail built to the shape of that staircase. It is a bigger job, so it helps to measure early.
Stairs at building entrances are common in the borough's older housing. For steps outside the front door, an outdoor-rated lift or a platform lift may fit better than an indoor model, especially if a wheelchair is involved.
Forest Hills Gardens is a designated historic district, and that status limits exterior alterations. Renovation projects there require architectural review by the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation.
That review matters most for anything outside the house, such as a ramp or an exterior lift at the front steps. If you live in the district, plan for that review before scheduling outdoor work, and ask the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation what applies to your project.
About 16.0% of people in the area are 65 or older, and only 32.8% are homeowners. That means many older residents rent, often in walk-ups or low-rise buildings.
Renting does not always rule out help. Several programs below accept renters who have their landlord's consent, so getting that consent in writing is a good first step.
Median household income in Queens was $62,008 in 2010 census period figures, so many families weigh paying out of pocket against applying for assistance. Two programs listed below explicitly name stair lifts: the NHTD Medicaid waiver's Environmental Modifications and the Access to Home Program run in New York City by the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens.
Other programs cover repairs, safety fixes or general home changes without naming stair lifts. Ask each one directly before you count on it. Veterans should know that the VA HISA benefit explicitly excludes stair lifts.
For general aging services, the NYC Department for the Aging is at 2 Lafayette St. 7th Floor, New York, 10007, phone (212) 244-6469.
A statewide Medicaid waiver for people who need a nursing-facility level of care but can live safely at home; its Environmental Modifications explicitly include stair lifts and vertical lifts, assessed case by case in the participant's service plan. Call (718) 922-9200.
Funds accessibility modifications, explicitly including stair glides, for owners or renters with landlord consent who have a documented disability and income at or below 80% of area median income (120% for qualifying disabled veterans). Call (212) 962-7655.
A version of Access to Home for qualified New York Medicaid members with a documented disability and income at or below 80% of area median income. The page describes ramps, lifts, handrails, doorway widening and roll-in showers but does not list stair lifts specifically.
A VA benefit for enrolled patients needing medically necessary accessibility work, with a lifetime maximum of $6,800 or $2,000 depending on disability status. Stair lifts are explicitly excluded.
Grants for veterans with qualifying severe service-connected disabilities, up to $126,526 for SAH and $25,350 for SHA, covering changes such as ramps or widened doorways. Stair lifts are not listed specifically.
Up to $20,000 for emergency repairs and code violations for owner-occupants age 60 or older with income at or below 100% of area median income, applied for through a Local Program Administrator. Stair lifts are not listed.
Free minor repairs, grab bars and a home safety audit for people age 60 or older with limited means, owners or renters with landlord consent. Stair lifts are not listed, and major work such as a ramp is not provided. Call (212) 962-7655.
Up to $15,000 per household in small-scale, non-structural modifications such as ramps, grab bars and handrails for NYC residents age 62 or older with income up to 80% of area median income. Stair lifts are not listed. Call (347) 971-0325.
A Queens-only forgivable loan for owners of 1-to-4-unit properties to fix health and safety hazards, and it allows accessibility or aging-in-place accommodations. Stair lifts are not named, so ask. Call (718) 457-1017.
Non-medical in-home services, such as case management, personal care, respite and assistive devices, for people age 60 or older who need help with daily activities. Home modifications and stair lifts are not listed. Call (800) 342-9871.
Older adults
2 Lafayette St. 7th Floor, New York, 10007
Veterans
1 Centre Street, Room 2208, New York, 10007
Possibly. The Access to Home Program, which names stair glides, accepts renters who have their landlord's consent and meet the disability and income rules. Call (212) 962-7655.
The NHTD Medicaid waiver lists stair lifts and vertical lifts among its Environmental Modifications for people who need a nursing-facility level of care but can live at home. Call (718) 922-9200.
Not through HISA, which explicitly excludes stair lifts. The SAH and SHA grants cover home changes for qualifying veterans but do not list stair lifts, so ask directly. The New York City Department of Veterans’ Services is at (212) 416-5250.
The historic district limits exterior alterations and requires Forest Hills Gardens Corporation review before renovation projects. That applies most to outdoor ramps or lifts, so check with the corporation before planning exterior work.
Project HELP from Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens serves owners of 1-to-4-unit Queens properties and does not state an age limit on the page we reviewed. Call (718) 457-1017 to ask.
If the stairs run in one straight flight, a straight stair lift is usually the fit. Stairs with turns or landings need a curved rail, which we measure in the home.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
