From the older houses of the Jonesboro Historic District to the postwar subdivisions spread across Forest Park, Riverdale, Morrow and Lake City, Clayton County has a wide mix of staircases. Split-level homes, townhouses and walk-up apartments sit within a few miles of each other, and each one asks something different of a stair lift.
This page walks through what the local homes and the rolling Piedmont ground mean for a lift, and which programs in Georgia may help with the cost. If you are sorting this out for a parent in Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Conley or anywhere else in the county, start here and then call us to look at the actual stairs.
Most single-family homes and townhouses here have one straight flight between floors. That is the simplest case: a straight rail mounted to the stair treads, not the wall, and no structural work.
Split-level homes are different. They usually have two or three short runs of steps between levels, sometimes with a landing or turn. We can cover one short run with a straight lift, or carry a curved rail around the turn so the rider never has to change seats.
Walk-up apartments and low-rise buildings often have shared stairwells. A lift there needs the building owner's approval, and in some cases a platform lift or a different unit on a lower floor is the more practical answer.
Clayton County covers about 142 square miles of rolling Piedmont land, and it drains toward two river basins. The eastern side, between Forest Park and Lovejoy, falls in the Upper Ocmulgee River sub-basin, while the western side drains to the Upper Flint River sub-basin.
That grading shows up at the front door. Many homes have exterior steps up from a sloped yard or driveway, and water runoff can collect near the entry. An outdoor stair lift is built for weather, but we check footing, drainage and the run of the steps before recommending one over a ramp or a vertical platform lift.
Jonesboro, the county seat, was founded as Leaksville in 1823 and renamed in 1846 after the Macon and Western Railroad came through. Its historic district, which includes the Stately Oaks landmark, sits alongside neighborhoods built during Metro Atlanta's postwar growth.
Older staircases can be narrow, steep or uneven. We measure the width, the angle and the clearance at the top and bottom, because those numbers decide whether a standard straight lift fits or a custom curved rail is needed.
Roughly 51.3% of households own their home, so many families here rent.
Renters can still get a lift, but the landlord has to agree in writing. MARTA and Xpress GA/Georgia RTA buses also serve the area, which matters for a parent who no longer drives but wants to stay in the same home.
None of the Georgia programs below name stair lifts specifically in their published materials. Several do list home modifications, so the right move is to call, describe the stairs and ask directly whether a lift qualifies.
For adults 60 and older, start with the Atlanta Regional Commission AAA at (404) 463-3100 or Empowerline at (866) 552-4464. Veterans can reach the Fort McPherson Veterans Field Service Office at (404) 656-2300 to ask about VA grants and VA Benefits for Veterans (HISA + Prosthetics). The Credit-Able Loan Program is also listed among statewide options worth asking about.
An in-home service for Georgians 60 and older, run in Clayton County through the Atlanta Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging. Home modification and repair is listed, but stair lifts are not named, so call Empowerline at (866) 552-4464 to confirm current scope and funding.
A Medicaid waiver for adults ages 21-64 with severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury who meet a nursing facility level of care. Home modifications are a covered category, though stair lifts are not listed by name; call (800) 982-0411.
A Medicaid waiver for frail elderly and disabled adults who meet a nursing-facility level of care, covering services such as personal care, adult daycare and respite. Home modifications are not listed among its services; call (866) 552-4464 with questions.
A Medicaid waiver grouped with CCSP for elderly and disabled adults who meet a nursing-facility level of care. Home modifications are not listed among the services described for this waiver.
A Center for Independent Living serving the Metro Atlanta area that helps people with disabilities with housing and modifications through a Housing Specialist. Stair lifts are not named; call (404) 687-8890 and confirm Clayton County is in its service area.
A state home-modification program for people with disabilities at risk of unnecessary nursing home placement, with grab bars and ramps given as examples. Stair lifts are not listed; call (404) 463-3333 to check whether the program is active and what it funds.
A VA grant of up to $126,526 (FY2026 max) for veterans with qualifying severe service-connected disabilities to buy, build or modify a home. Stair lifts are not itemized; the Fort McPherson Veterans Field Service Office at (404) 656-2300 can help with questions.
A smaller VA grant of up to $25,350 (FY2026 max) for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities to adapt a home. Stair lifts are not itemized; call the Fort McPherson Veterans Field Service Office at (404) 656-2300.
Older adults
229 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 100, Atlanta, 30303
Veterans
1701 Hardee Avenue SW, Atlanta, 30310
Yes, in most cases. A single short run can take a straight lift, and runs connected by a turn or landing can use a curved rail. We measure each flight before recommending one.
The Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP) serves Medicaid-eligible adults ages 21-64 with severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury, and it lists home modifications. disABILITY LINK at (404) 687-8890 also works with people with disabilities in Metro Atlanta.
Home modifications are not listed among the services for either waiver in the state's published summary. They may still help with other in-home care, so ask at (866) 552-4464.
The VA Specially Adapted Housing grant goes up to $126,526 and the Special Home Adaptation grant up to $25,350 for FY2026, for qualifying service-connected disabilities. Neither itemizes stair lifts, so call the Fort McPherson Veterans Field Service Office at (404) 656-2300 to discuss your case.
Possibly, but the building owner has to approve it, especially in a shared stairwell. In some buildings a platform lift or a move to a lower unit makes more sense.
For a parent 60 or older, start with the Atlanta Regional Commission AAA at (404) 463-3100 or Empowerline at (866) 552-4464. Then call us so we can measure the stairs and give you something concrete to bring to the program.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
