Straw homes and those on four wheels were among the options being touted to quake-affected residents at a Christchurch housing expo.

About 15,000 people attended the two-day My Housing Options Expo, which finished yesterday at the Addington Events Centre.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) event featured more than 70 exhibitors, including builders, real estate agents, developers, banks, insurers and government agencies, advising people forced to abandon or rebuild their homes.

Alternative options on offer included buses decked out with televisions, barbecues and washing machines, and straw bale eco-houses.

Red-zone residents Peter and Bev Morel, of Bexley, said yesterday they found the expo helpful, but were still waiting for answers from their insurance company.

"They keep saying [we'll know] in the next two or three weeks. This [expo] gives you some idea, but we're just in limbo," Peter Morel said.

House and land packages appeared to be out of their price range without a mortgage, he said.

"We had a freehold house where we were and no worries. We're nearly 70, and although we can get a mortgage from the banks, at our stage of life we don't really want to.

"We'll look seriously at renting. We could buy a section, but then we'd have to put a tent on it."

The Morels will continue to live in their quake-damaged home while they wait for the government payout.

Green-zone residents Neil and Kate Gow attended because their Merivale heritage home is likely to be demolished.

Despite losing their home of more than 40 years, Kate Gow said they were "better off than a lot of people".

Cera chief executive Roger Sutton said the expo showed there was high demand for the advice.

More events would be held, in larger venues and with more exhibitors, Sutton said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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