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Home and access

Ramps, wider doors, roll-in showers, and lifts. How to plan changes, who pays for them, your rights as a renter, and how to find accessible housing.

An older man in a wheelchair makes coffee in his kitchen while a woman cooks nearby.

Plan your changes

  1. Ask for a home assessment by an occupational therapist. They will suggest changes that fit your body and your home.
  2. Walk through your home with the Home access checklist.
  3. Get at least two written bids. Ask contractors if they have done accessibility work before. Some hold a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist credential.
  4. Check funding before you start work. Many programs will not pay for work already done.

Common changes

  • Ramps

    A common guide is 1 inch of rise for every foot of ramp (1:12), with a level landing at the top and bottom.

  • Wider doors

    About 32 inches of clear opening fits most wheelchairs. Offset hinges can add up to 2 inches without new framing.

  • Roll-in shower

    No curb, a fold-down seat, a handheld shower, and grab bars.

  • Grab bars and railings

    Installed into wall studs or blocking, not just drywall.

  • Lifts

    Stair lifts, vertical platform lifts, and ceiling lifts for transfers.

  • Kitchen and controls

    Lower counters, pull-out shelves, lever handles, and smart switches you can reach.

Who pays for home changes

  • Medicaid waivers in most states pay for home changes, often called environmental accessibility adaptations. Check your state page.
  • USDA home repair loans and grants (Section 504) for homeowners with low income in rural areas: loans up to $40,000 at 1% for 20 years, and grants up to $10,000 for homeowners 62 and older with very low income. You can combine them up to $50,000. USDA Rural Development
  • The VA has grants for veterans. See Veterans: home changes.
  • Your local aging office or ADRC may have home repair or modification help. Call the Eldercare Locator, 800-677-1116.
  • Your state AT Act program may offer low-interest loans. Find yours.
  • Nonprofits like Rebuilding Together and local housing programs often do accessibility repairs for free or low cost.
  • Vocational Rehabilitation may help if a change is needed for you to work.
  • Taxes: some home changes for medical care can count as a medical expense on your federal taxes. See IRS Publication 502 or ask a tax preparer.

Good to know: this page is general information in plain language. It is not financial or legal advice. For your own situation, talk with one of the free helpers named on this page.

If you rent

  • Reasonable modifications: under the Fair Housing Act, a landlord must let you make changes you need, like a ramp or grab bars. In private housing you usually pay. In public or other federally assisted housing, the housing provider usually pays.
  • Reasonable accommodations: a landlord must change a rule or policy you need changed, like giving you an accessible parking space close to your door.
  • Ask in writing. Use the Letter builder.
  • If a landlord says no, you can file a complaint with HUD within one year at hud.gov.

Finding accessible housing

  • Apartment buildings with 4 or more units built for first occupancy after March 13, 1991 must meet basic accessibility rules under the Fair Housing Act.
  • Your Center for Independent Living and local housing authority can help you find accessible units and housing help.
  • Search housing help in the Atlas.
Open the Home access checklist

Last reviewed: October 2026. Laws, dollar amounts, and program rules change. Check with the agency named on this page before you make a decision. Report outdated or wrong information.