Ramps & Rails Program
Through our Ramps & Rails program, Palouse Habitat works with very low to low-income residents to install temporary ADA-accessible ramps or make repairs to exterior ramps, steps, and decks to ensure safe access to the home. Habitat offers a hand-up, not a handout. While not required, our program offers the ability to partner with Habitat, including helping with the project and/or donating to help cover the cost of materials.
Our Ramps & Rails program is financed through private donations and relies on volunteer labor to provide safe access to homes for those in need across Latah and Whitman County. The ramps are issued at no cost with the expectation they are returned to Habitat when they are no longer needed.
Your support keeps our program running. Whether you donate time, money, or resources, you're making homes safer and lives better. Join us in continuing to provide safe access to the homes of Whitman and Latah County and give back today!
Palouse Habitat for Humanity adheres to federal fair housing policy. We consider all applications, and we do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, family status, or national origin.
Apply for a Ramps & Rails Project
The first step is to fill out the online Ramps & Rails Inquiry form. If you can not access the form online, please call the Palouse Habitat office at 208-883-8502 for assistance.
Once we receive your application, we will give you a phone call to discuss the project and determine if we can help. We will also schedule a site visit to assess the project. As we are only performing exterior work the homeowner does not have to be present during the site visit. However, any site conditions such as but not limited to access codes and dogs need to be communicated.
If accepted, you will fill out a Partnership Agreement and Scope of Work form with Palouse Habitat for Humanity. This form will define the scope of work and outline the conditions of the partnership.
If you are having issues with the form, need to schedule a pickup request, or have any other inquiries please call the office at 208-883-8502.
Program FAQ's
Past Projects
Callie, Ryan, and her mother celebrate the ramp installed at their Pullman home.
Callie and Ryan's Ramps & Rails Story
Callie, a professor at Washington State University, moved to Pullman, Washington, last summer. Her boyfriend, Kyle, has Spinal Muscular Atrophy and uses a powerchair to get around. They had hoped that they would be able to make the move to Pullman together. But when looking for a place, they soon realized that there is limited accessible housing in Pullman. Because of this, they had to begin dating long distance until they could install a ramp making their home accessible for Kyle. When they looked into installing a ramp, they couldn't find anyone to build it for less than $8,000, and with the purchase of a new wheelchair-accessible vehicle as well as other expenses, that was out of their budget. When Callie contacted us about building a ramp at their new home our Ramp & Rails Crew went to work. Because of Palouse Habitat for Humanity's Ramp & Rail Crew and the Moscow Central Lions Club, Kyle was able to move to Pullman sooner than expected and they were able to be together again.
The Ramps & Rails Team installed a ramp for Mr Bill Moore in rural Colfax, WA in Spring of 2023.
The Ramps & Rails Team hard at work on a ramp installation in Moscow, ID.
The Ramps & Rails Team installed a large aluminum ramp system outside Julietta, ID.
Support Ramps & Rails
On average, each aluminum ramp costs $2500, is expected to last ten years, and serves an average of five households. However, our current supply of aluminum ramps is not enough to meet demand so we have adapted a modular wooden ramp system to continue serving families in need. Your support will help us purchase aluminum ramps, lumber, and other materials needed. Thank you for helping us provide safe access to homes for our neighbors.
If you can help, please visit our online donation page to make a gift to help Palouse Habitat purchase additional ramp components. In the Other Information, write us a note if you want your support designated for the Home Repair program.