From Lawrenceville and Duluth to Snellville, Suwanee and Buford, much of Gwinnett County was built as suburban subdivisions during the growth boom that followed the 1970s. Many of those houses are split-level, two-story or multi-level designs, so the bedrooms or main living space often sit a flight of stairs above the entry or garage.
That layout works fine until climbing becomes hard. This page walks through how the common Gwinnett home styles affect the choice of stair lift, and which county, state, nonprofit and VA programs may help with the cost.
The 2020 Census counted 330,569 housing units in Gwinnett County, with 65.3% owner-occupied. A large share are the split-level, two-story and multi-level homes typical of Atlanta-metro suburban building.
A two-story house with one straight flight is usually the simplest job: a straight stair lift mounts to the treads, not the wall. Split-level homes are different. They often have short runs between levels, so the question becomes which levels the person actually needs to reach each day.
If a stair turns at a landing, a curved lift with a custom rail can follow it. Sometimes two straight lifts on two short runs are the more practical answer, and we look at both during a visit.
Townhouses in places like Peachtree Corners and Norcross tend to stack living space over several floors, often with narrow stairs. A slim straight or curved lift can fit, but we measure stair width and clearance at the top and bottom before recommending one.
In low-rise buildings and walk-up apartments, the stairs may be shared or owned by someone else. Talk to the owner, landlord or association first, since they decide what can be attached to the stairway.
When the garage or front entry sits below the main floor, the hard part can be the steps outside or between the garage and the house. Outdoor stair lifts are built for weather and can serve exterior steps or a deck stair.
For someone who uses a wheelchair, a seat lift may not be enough. A platform lift carries the chair itself and is worth discussing if transfers in and out of a seat are no longer safe.
The Census Bureau counts 99.5% of county residents as living in urban areas. That matters because rural-only home repair funding is unlikely to apply here, so the regional aging, disability and Medicaid programs are the better places to start.
No single program here names stair lifts outright. The strongest leads are the ones that list home modifications as a covered service: the Georgia Division of Aging Services in-home services through the Atlanta Regional Commission AAA, the Independent Care Waiver Program, and disABILITY LINK.
Other programs listed below cover repairs or accessibility work without naming stair lifts, so ask directly before counting on them. The county's own rehab program is not taking applications right now, but you can ask to be put on its contact list.
A HUD CDBG-funded deferred payment loan of up to $20,000 at 0% interest for income-qualified homeowners; listed repairs include stairs and railings, but accessibility modifications and stair lifts are not named. It is not accepting applications at this time; call (678) 518-6008 or email [email protected] to join the contact list.
A state Medicaid waiver for people 65 and older, or younger with a disability, who meet nursing-home level of care; its listed services do not mention home modifications or stair lifts. Call (866) 552-4464, and expect a possible waitlist.
A non-Medicaid program for adults 60 and older (some parts from 55) that lists home modification and repair as a service, so a stair lift may be authorized under it. Gwinnett is served by the Atlanta Regional Commission AAA; call (866) 552-4464 or (404) 463-3100 to check current funding.
A Medicaid waiver for ages 21 to 64 with a severe physical disability or traumatic brain injury that explicitly covers home modifications, so a stair lift can be approved when documented as necessary. Enrollment is capped; call (800) 982-0411.
A state accessibility grant for Georgia homeowners with a disability, funded at $600,000 a year statewide; named work includes ramps and doorway widening, and stair lifts are not listed, so requests are reviewed case by case. disABILITY LINK handles Gwinnett; call (770) 270-6860.
The Center for Independent Living serving Gwinnett County, offering information, referral and home modification services, which can include a stair lift. It also administers the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund; call (404) 687-8890 for current limits.
A no-interest loan program for painting, weatherization and minor repairs for existing homeowners, with no mention of stair lifts or accessibility work. The office is at 52 Gwinnett Drive, Suite B, Lawrenceville; call (770) 931-8080.
Federal grants for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities (FY2026: SAH up to $126,526, SHA up to $25,350) for structural home changes; stair lifts are not specifically named. Apply on VA.gov or by mail, or ask the Lawrenceville Veterans Field Service Office at (678) 225-0350 for help.
Older adults
229 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 100, Atlanta, 30303
Veterans
455 Phillip Blvd, Lawrenceville, 30046
Often, yes. Split-level homes usually have short flights between levels, so the choice is between one curved lift that follows a turn or a straight lift on just the flight that matters most. We measure each run before recommending anything.
Yes, depending on disability. The Independent Care Waiver Program covers ages 21 to 64 and lists home modifications, and disABILITY LINK and the Georgia Home Access Program serve people with disabilities regardless of age.
Not at the moment. The county says it is not accepting applications, but you can ask to be added to its contact list by emailing [email protected] or calling (678) 518-6008.
The Atlanta Regional Commission AAA, at 229 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 100, Atlanta. Call (404) 463-3100 to ask about home modification and repair funding for adults 60 and older.
Its published service list covers things like personal care, adult day care, meals and respite, and does not mention home modifications or stair lifts. Ask about ICWP or the aging services program instead.
The Lawrenceville Veterans Field Service Office of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service is at 455 Phillip Blvd, Lawrenceville. Call (678) 225-0350 to ask about SAH, SHA or TRA grants.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
