“I am not even dead, yet I am already living in my coffin with 4 walls and nails”, social worker Miss SZE Lai Shan quoted a remark of a coffin home dweller. Coffin homes are ordinary apartments redesigned and subdivided by the landlord in order to achieve more rental incomes. They are windowless with only air-vent, no natural sunlight, and most are less than 20 sq. ft. They are not prisoners but the average dwelling area is smaller than that of a prison cell. Prison cells are typically about 80.7 sq. ft. with a bed, sink, toilet and desk with a chair. It becomes life-threatening if a fire breaks out or an infection arises. Privacy is also sacrificed as they may have to share the toilets and shower.

Down To Earth Haunted by rats, cockroaches and mosquitos, they choose to sleep on the floor of parks, footbridges and base of flyover. These are our street-sleepers. According to figures from the city’s Social Welfare Department, in May 2018 there were 1127 people registered as street-sleepers in 2017/18 financial year, a substantial increase from previous years. Most of them were over 50 years old. They are mostly drug addicts, mentally or physically ill, or ex-prisoners. No wonder they are rejected by most landlords. “I would not queue for public housing, but for the public niches of my cremated body ashes when I expire.” A street-sleeper commented over his destiny. There are also McRefugees who spend their nights in 24-hour McDonald’s. We also witness some innovative design by the street-sleepers in combating the “urban homeless deterrence facilities” (bulky armrests and vertical bars between each seat on the benches to deter people from lying down).