I need new carpeting and padding but can't afford it.

What's underneath the carpet? Concrete, wood etc...

Have someone strip it all out for you and then Paint the treads and or lay rubber mats on each stair. Available for outside steps.........

dependinag on your skill level and the condition of your flooring under the carpet? You could install laminate flooring in your house instead of carpet. I installed a laminate flooring with a foam rubber backing so you can put your flooring down without adding all that foam materia to the floor first befor laying the floor. It also helps hide a world of sins in your underlayment with minor cracks or bumps on the floor! But this does take some skill in measuring and fitting flooring around walls and cabinets. Especially if you have any angled walls. I’ve been in woodworking all my life, so this was a very easy process for me. Still it’s a time consuming job that will take you some time! Also goes easily with a helper if you got one? There’s also a vinyl flooring that is similar to laminate flooring that comes in strips. Each panel has 2 sticky edges that locks the next panel to it in place. These are even easier to install. I know since I installed one for a friend a few years back! The down side is your underlayment or flooring you’re putting your new flooring on top of needs to be in perfect condition with no bumps or cracks showing! Any bumps or cracks will show up thru this thin vinyl flooring and look terrible! But as long as you prepare your original flooring or underlayment so that it is perfectly smooth. This is a great and nice looking flooring once installed and doesn’t look like a bunch of pieces just stuck to your floor either! Several designs and colors in either laminate or this vinyl material!

Have you considered putting down laminate flooring rather than carpeting? Looks great, easy to clean, comes in all price ranges and would be much better than carpeting for your asthma.

Remove carpet and paint concrete or subfloors. Here are some ideas: https://www.homeflooringpros.com/blog-guides/painted-floors-ideas/

Thank you for this information. Very helpful!

You can by peel and stick tiles at the Habitat restore or HD or Lowes. You can even buy the tile that has the wood look. I would pull the carpet and pad up, cut into strips roll it up and duck tape around it. Do small sections at a time as to not create so much dust. This is a cheaper way if you can't afford new carpet or laminate floors.