Hong Kong, a bustling metropolis known for its iconic skyline and financial prowess, is also home to some of the most extreme examples of urban housing crises in the world. Tucked away behind the glittering high-rises and neon-lit streets are “coffin homes”—cramped, windowless living spaces barely big enough to stretch out. These tiny rooms, also referred to as cage homes, symbolize the city’s severe housing crisis, where skyrocketing real estate prices and a lack of affordable housing have forced thousands of residents into living conditions that the United Nations has condemned as “an insult to human dignity.”
What Are Coffin Homes?
Coffin homes are ultra-small partitioned spaces, often measuring just 15 to 25 square feet—roughly the size of a parking space or a prison cell. In extreme cases, some can be as small as 11 square feet. These units are often stacked within old, subdivided apartments in overcrowded buildings, where multiple residents occupy different sections of what was originally a single home.
The term “coffin home” comes from their claustrophobic nature—many of these spaces barely allow room for a bed, and some are literally boxes with metal bars, resembling cages. The lack of ventilation, natural light, and privacy makes them unbearably oppressive, yet for many low-income workers, the elderly, and even some students, these spaces represent their only affordable housing option in a city where rent prices are among the highest in the world.
How Did Hong Kong’s Housing Crisis Get This Bad?
Hong Kong’s housing crisis is driven by a combination of factors:
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Skyrocketing Real Estate Prices
Hong Kong’s property market is among the most expensive in the world. A tiny 200-square-foot apartment can cost over $500,000, making homeownership an unattainable dream for most working-class citizens. Even renting a small studio apartment can cost upwards of $2,000 per month—a price many can’t afford. -
Land Shortage and Government Policy
Despite its towering skyline, Hong Kong’s available land for housing is limited, with much of it controlled by real estate developers and the government. Strict zoning laws and limited land allocation for public housing have contributed to the housing crisis, leaving many with few alternatives. -
Massive Income Inequality
Hong Kong has one of the largest wealth gaps in the world, with billionaire tycoons and luxury developments on one end, and tens of thousands living in extreme poverty on the other. Many low-income residents, janitors, delivery workers, and factory employees earn barely enough to survive, forcing them into these tiny, subdivided rooms. -
Overcrowding and Population Density
With over 7.5 million people living in just 426 square miles, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places on Earth. This extreme density worsens the housing crisis, as demand for space far exceeds supply.
What Is It Like to Live in a Coffin Home?
For those who live in coffin homes, daily life is a constant struggle for space and comfort.
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Minimal Space
Residents often sleep on a thin mattress or wooden plank with barely enough room to stretch their legs. Many are unable to stand fully upright in their units. -
No Privacy
The walls separating each “unit” are often thin plywood or wire mesh, meaning noise and smells from neighboring units are unavoidable. Conversations, arguments, and even snoring can be heard through the walls. -
Lack of Basic Amenities
Many of these units lack their own toilets, kitchens, or even proper ventilation. Residents often share a single bathroom and cook meals on a portable stove, increasing fire hazards. -
Unbearable Heat and Poor Ventilation
In the summer, temperatures inside coffin homes soar beyond tolerable levels, with no air conditioning. Many residents rely on tiny electric fans to cool themselves in the stifling heat. -
Health Risks and Hygiene Issues
The overcrowded conditions make sanitation difficult, leading to increased mold, pests, and respiratory issues. Infectious diseases can spread rapidly in such confined spaces.
The Cost of a Coffin Home
Despite their cramped and unlivable conditions, coffin homes are not cheap.
- A single coffin home can cost around $300–$500 per month—a staggering amount considering the minimal space and lack of basic facilities.
- Even though they are cheaper than regular apartments, they are still inaccessible to those living in extreme poverty. Some families share a single coffin home, further reducing space.
Government Response: Are Things Improving?
The Hong Kong government has acknowledged the coffin home crisis but has struggled to provide solutions.
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Public Housing Projects
The government has promised to expand public housing initiatives, but with over 250,000 people on waiting lists, it often takes years to secure a home. -
Transitional Housing and Micro-Flats
Some efforts have been made to convert shipping containers and abandoned office buildings into temporary housing, but these are only short-term fixes. -
Rent Controls and Regulations
New regulations aim to improve safety standards and limit rent increases, but enforcement remains a challenge. -
Sky City and Land Reclamation Projects
The government has proposed reclaiming land from the sea to create new developments, but these plans are controversial, expensive, and slow-moving.
A Stark Symbol of Inequality
The rise of coffin homes serves as a stark reminder of the growing economic divide in one of the world’s wealthiest cities. While luxury skyscrapers and million-dollar apartments dominate the skyline, tens of thousands are forced into inhumane living conditions just to survive.
These extreme micro-living spaces are not just a housing problem—they are a humanitarian crisis. They highlight the urgent need for affordable housing solutions and better urban planning to ensure that no one has to live in conditions unfit for human dignity.
Until meaningful reforms take place, Hong Kong’s coffin homes will remain a grim reality for thousands—a testament to the extreme housing inequality that continues to define the city.