UPDATED 1.28pm Social housing units in Christchurch are being offered for sale to North Canterbury farmers who lost their homes in November's earthquake.

The units at Rawhiti Domain were used to house displaced residents in Christchurch, following the 2011 quakes

Housing Minister Nick Smith who's in New Brighton said there are 29 farmers who need them.

These are for farmers who have red-stickered homes currently living in tents, caravans and a hay barn.

Farmers will be able to buy them for about $25,000 - and will have to pay for removal costs.

Transfer costs could reach up to $40,000.

Dr Smith said the decision to sell not rent them to farmers is the best option as it's on their property though he said not all of the farmers will take up the offer, due to logistical challenges of getting the units to their farms.

The Hurunui District's Mayor is praising the speed in which the government has provided housing options for troubled farmers.

The government has announced at least 29 farmers, mostly from Hurunui, will be eligible to purchase 

Hurunui Mayor Winton Dalley said some of the farmers desperately needed something like this.

He said it's important to remember the farms aren't just a home, they are businesses that are impossible to run from the closest settlement.

The units were previously used to house Christchurch residents after the 2011 earthquakes.