Federated Farmers is expecting rural offers of accommodation for Christchurch people displaced by the earthquake to be accepted, now that health authorities are looking for help.
The Federation's earthquake spokesperson, John Hartnell, says the initial offers of accommodation weren't taken up, but Canterbury District Health Board has now made contact seeking help with accommodation for people being released from hospital.
There is also a demand to house elderly people in Canterbury, and people with wrecked homes are also seeking temporary storage.
John Hartnell says Federated Farmers itself was able to take up the offer from Canterbury rugby clubs to use their facilities as temporary accommodation.
It used Dunsandel rugby club to billet a large group of North Island farmer volunteers who joined the 'Farmy Army' silt-clearing teams.
No choice but to return to vulnerable home
A resident who lives on the eighth floor of a central city apartment building, says while it will be nerve-wracking to return, he has no other choice.
Rob McKay's apartment has been yellow stickered, meaning only restricted access, and he was allowed temporary access for the first time on Sunday.
He says his apartment is in complete disarray and he only had time to retrieve his passport and some clothes after the earthquake.
Mr McKay says he will return to live there if the building is not condemned, as he believes no-one else would want to move in.