A DARLINGTON man has accused the council of profiteering after it changed its home improvement grant system.

Previously, Darlington Borough Council offered a means-tested grant system to homeowners who needed to repair their home but could not afford it.

If the house was not sold within five years, the grant did not have to be repaid.

This year, the grant system was replaced by loans repayable at various rates. A non-priority area assistance package, for example, requires the loan to be repaid within five years using Bank of England rates.

On the other hand, an emergency assistance loan does not need to be repaid until the property is sold.

But Colin Fairman, 62, of Claremont Road, off Geneva Road, believes the new system places vulnerable people at risk.

He said: "The grants were fairer. They were means-tested, so people who could not afford to pay for repairs could receive help.

"Loans are available for people who can afford them - but the people who used to have the grants obviously can't afford to take loans. Also, older people prefer not to take them.

"If it had to be decided more tightly, it maybe could have been means-tested more tightly. It's not difficult.

"This is just about making money."

The council said the new system was introduced after discussions with Government.

A spokeswoman said: "Previously a grants scheme was in operation, but now councils are encouraged to apply for funding from the Government for home improvement loans schemes instead.

"Resources can then be recycled - as loans are paid back the money is then available to someone else to use and in the long term more people will benefit from it."