Coffin Homes

In Hong Kong, “coffin homes” (also known as bed-space or cage homes) are tiny subdivided units—sometimes as small as 15–18 square feet—just large enough to fit a bunk or a bed, often in windowless partitions within older apartment blocks.

These dwellings are typically rented by low-income residents for around HK$2,400–2,900 per month.

While the Hong Kong government has introduced reforms to raise minimum living standards for small subdivided flats, “coffin homes” remain largely exempt from the new rules.

This issue sits against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s sky-high housing costs—residential prices in the city center recently averaged about US$25,946 per square meter, keeping it among the most unaffordable property markets in the world.