Lancaster, the Fairfield County seat, has three national historic districts full of older, multi-story homes. Some of the Federal-style brick-and-limestone houses there date to the early 1800s, and many two-story homes from before 1900 still have their original narrow staircases. Those stairs are where a lot of our work in the county starts.
Head out to Pickerington, Baltimore, Millersport or Sugar Grove and the homes change. The county covers 509 square miles and 16 towns, from flat northern subdivisions near Columbus to the Appalachian foothills in the south. This page walks through what that mix means for a stair lift and which local programs may help cover the cost.
Lancaster's historic districts include buildings like the Georgian Museum, built in 1832, and the Sherman House, built in 1811 with additions in 1816 and 1870. Homes from that era were not built with wide stairs in mind. Original staircases tend to be narrow, and some turn or have a landing partway up.
A straight staircase, even a narrow one, can usually take a straight-rail lift with a seat that folds up out of the way when it is not in use. If the stairs turn, wind or stop at a landing, you are looking at a curved rail built to fit that exact staircase. We measure on site before recommending either one.
The northern part of the county is fairly flat, shaped by glaciation, and much of the newer construction in the Columbus metro growth areas is single-story. In those homes the problem is often the front entry rather than an inside staircase, so a ramp or a simple entry solution may be enough.
The southern part rises into the foothills next to the Hocking Hills area. Older homes in those hillier townships, around places like Bremen, Rushville and Sugar Grove, more often have living space on two levels. That is where an interior stair lift tends to make the biggest difference.
Fairfield County housing includes single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses, walk-up apartments, split-level homes and ranch-style homes. Split-levels have several short flights, so a lift often serves just the one flight between the main floor and the bedrooms. Ranch-style homes usually only need help reaching a basement laundry or family room.
Townhouses and duplexes often have a single straight flight, which is the simplest install. In a walk-up apartment, the stairs may be a shared or rented space, so talk to the owner or landlord before planning anything.
County-level 2020 census figures show 73.7% of occupied homes are owner-occupied and 16.8% of residents are 65 or older. That is a large group of long-time homeowners who want to keep living where they are.
If that includes your parent, the VA programs below are worth a look, though one of them does not pay for stair lifts at all.
Two local programs say they fund home modifications: PASSPORT, run in this county by the Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency, and the Fairfield Center for Independence ramp and accessibility program. Neither one names stair lifts among its examples, so call and ask before counting on them.
Other programs cover accessibility work or home repair in general terms without mentioning stair lifts. Lancaster city homeowners, people on a developmental disability waiver, rural homeowners and veterans each have a different option, listed below. The VA HISA grant specifically excludes stair glides.
A Medicaid waiver for Ohioans 60 and older who need nursing-facility level care but can stay home with support; it lists minor home modifications such as handrails, ramps and grab bars, but stair lifts are not named, so confirm first. Call the Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency at (740) 653-4146.
For people of any age on an Individual Options or Level One developmental disability waiver, paying up to $10,000 per project for adaptations like ramps and grab bars; stair lifts are not mentioned in the rule. Call the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities at (740) 652-7220.
A forgivable loan of up to $15,000 for owner-occupied single-family homes inside Lancaster city limits, for households at or below 80% of area median income; accessibility modifications are an eligible activity, though stair lifts are not itemized. Call (740) 687-6663.
A home rehabilitation and repair program for low-to-moderate income Fairfield County homeowners, run through the Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency; the source does not mention stair lifts or accessibility work. Call (740) 653-4146.
1% loans with up to 20 years to repay, plus grants for homeowners 62 and older who cannot repay a loan, usable for repairs that make a home accessible for household members with disabilities; stair lifts are not named, and only part of the county qualifies as rural. Call (740) 373-7113 to check your address.
A VA grant of up to $6,800 or $2,000 depending on disability status for medically needed home changes. It does not cover stair lifts: stair glides and porch lifts are specifically excluded.
Up to $126,526 (FY2026) for veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities to adapt a home they own or will own; stair lifts are not mentioned in the program description.
Up to $25,350 (FY2026) for veterans with qualifying disabilities, such as loss of use of both hands, to adapt a home they own or will own; stair lifts are not mentioned.
Free help for Fairfield County veterans and dependents with emergency financial assistance and VA claims, including help applying for VA grants; it does not list home modifications or stair lifts. Call (740) 652-7920.
Free home modifications for Fairfield County residents with mobility disabilities, including ramps, half-steps and handrails; stair lifts are not named, so ask whether one would qualify. Call (740) 653-5501.
A disability advocacy and assistive technology resource serving Fairfield and eight nearby counties for people of any age; it does not list stair lifts or home modifications. Call (740) 689-1494 to ask about current help.
Older adults
3776 S. High St., Columbus, 43207
Veterans
1550 Sheridan Drive, Suite 301, Lancaster, 43130
Often, yes. Straight lifts with a fold-up seat are made for tight stairs, and a curved rail can be built for stairs that turn or have a landing. We measure the staircase in person before recommending anything.
PASSPORT serves Ohioans 60 and older who qualify for Medicaid long-term care and need nursing-facility level care. It covers minor home modifications, but stair lifts are not named among its examples, so call (740) 653-4146 to ask.
Not through the HISA grant, which specifically excludes stair glides. The SAH and SHA grants do not mention stair lifts either way. The Fairfield County Veterans Service Office at (740) 652-7920 can help with VA applications.
The City of Lancaster HRA program offers up to $15,000 as a 5-year forgivable loan for income-eligible owners of single-family homes. Accessibility modifications are an eligible activity, but stair lifts are not itemized. Call (740) 687-6663.
Only in part of it. The county is listed as only partially eligible, since some incorporated areas fall outside the USDA rural map. Call (740) 373-7113 to check a specific address.
The Fairfield Center for Independence offers free home modifications to county residents with mobility disabilities; call (740) 653-5501. People on a DODD developmental disability waiver can ask the county board at (740) 652-7220.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
