Middlesex County is a place of water and small towns. Urbanna was laid out in 1680 as one of Virginia's original port towns on the Rappahannock River. Deltaville sits on State Route 33 between the Rappahannock and the Piankatank, with its marinas gathered around Broad Creek. Saluda rounds out the county's three towns.
Many homes here are older waterfront and small-town houses, and a lot of the people living in them have been there for years. If someone in your family is starting to struggle with the stairs, this page walks through what kind of stair lift fits the homes in this part of the Middle Peninsula and which programs may help with the cost.
Housing in the county runs from single-family homes and ranch-style homes to split-level homes, townhouses and walk-up apartments. Each one asks something different of a stair lift, so we start by looking at the actual staircase rather than the house style alone.
A straight staircase in an older single-family home or townhouse is usually the simplest job, with a rail mounted to the stair treads. Stairs that turn at a landing, or that wrap around in an older house, call for a curved rail built to that staircase.
Split-level homes often have several short runs of steps between floors. Those short runs still matter, and we look at each one to see where a lift makes sense and where it does not.
The county has 135 miles of shoreline, and 80 of its 211 square miles are water. The land is tidal lowland and marsh, typical of Virginia's Tidewater.
For many households the hardest steps are outside: the ones up to a porch, a deck or the front door. An outdoor stair lift is built for exterior steps. Where a wheelchair user needs to get up a few steps, a platform lift may be the better fit, and we can talk through both during a visit.
In the 2020 census, 32.3% of Middlesex County residents were 65 or older, and the median age was 55.4 years. That is an older community, and stair access is one of the first things families ask about when a parent wants to stay at home.
About 81.8% of households own their home, which matters because several of the grants below are open only to homeowners.
The clearest source of help named for stair lifts is the Virginia Housing Accessibility Grants, which list chairlifts among eligible modifications and pay up to $10,000 with no repayment. Income limits apply, and applications go through a Virginia Housing-accepted agent.
Other programs cover home modifications in general but do not name stair lifts, so it is worth asking each one directly. These include the CCC Plus Medicaid Waiver, USDA Section 504 repair loans and grants, and Bay Aging's home repair program. Be aware that the VA HISA grant specifically excludes stair glides.
Statewide, you can also ask about the Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit (LHTC) and the Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority (ATLFA). A good first local call is Bay Aging at 5306 Old Virginia St. in Urbanna, (804) 758-2386.
A Virginia Medicaid waiver for older adults and people with disabilities who would otherwise need nursing facility care, with an Environmental Modifications benefit capped at $5,000 per calendar year. Stair lifts are not listed as covered or excluded in the regulation; call (844) 374-9159.
Grants of up to $10,000 with no repayment for homeowners, renters and disabled veterans who meet income limits, and chairlifts are named as an eligible modification. Applications go through a Virginia Housing-accepted agent; call (877) 843-2123.
A VA lifetime benefit of up to $6,800 or up to $2,000, depending on disability, for medically needed home changes like permanent ramps and bathroom work. Stair glides are excluded; call (800) 827-1000.
Up to $126,526 (FY2026) for veterans with qualifying permanent service-connected disabilities who own or will own the home. The VA page does not mention stair lifts by name; call (800) 827-1000.
Up to $25,350 (FY2026) for veterans with conditions such as loss of use of both hands or certain severe burns. Stair lifts are not specifically named; call (800) 827-1000.
Loans up to $20,000 at 1% interest and grants up to $7,500 for very-low-income rural homeowners age 62 and older to remove health and safety hazards. Stair lifts are not specifically listed; call (804) 287-1500.
A home repair program for homeowners, with priority for seniors and people with disabilities, that ranges from structural repairs to accessibility improvements. Stair lifts are not itemized; call (804) 758-2386.
Serves people with disabilities in Middlesex and nearby counties through its Middle Peninsula satellite office, and can help with referrals for home accessibility resources. No stair lift funding is named; call (804) 684-5607.
Adult Services helps elderly and disabled residents remain independent, while the Auxiliary Grant is for people living in licensed assisted living, not home modifications. Stair lifts are not listed, but staff can point you to other programs; call (804) 758-2348.
Older adults
5306 Old Virginia St., Urbanna, 23175
Veterans
1201 Broad Rock Blvd, Room 1M‑169B, Richmond, 23249
Yes. The Virginia Housing Accessibility Grants list chairlifts among typical eligible modifications and pay up to $10,000 with no repayment. Call (877) 843-2123 to find an accepted agent.
The HISA grant excludes stair glides because they are not permanent structural changes. The SAH and SHA grants do not name stair lifts, so ask the VA at (800) 827-1000. The Granting Freedom grant from Virginia Housing is open to disabled veterans at or below 80% AMI.
USDA Section 504 offers grants of up to $7,500 to very-low-income rural homeowners age 62 and older for health and safety repairs. Stair lifts are not specifically listed, so call (804) 287-1500 to ask.
The CCC Plus waiver covers Environmental Modifications up to $5,000 per calendar year, but the regulation does not name stair lifts as covered or excluded. Call (844) 374-9159 to ask about your situation.
The Rental Unit Accessibility Modification grant from Virginia Housing is for renters at or below 60% AMI. Bay Aging's home repair program, by contrast, requires that you own the home.
Bay Aging, the county's Area Agency on Aging, is at 5306 Old Virginia St. in Urbanna and can be reached at (804) 758-2386. Middlesex County Department of Social Services at (804) 758-2348 can also point you to other programs.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
