A bit earlier than that, actually: [In 1917] the government spearheaded great changes in people’s lives, starting with housing. The Soviets nationalized privat

A bit earlier than that, actually: [In 1917] the government spearheaded great changes in people’s lives, starting with housing. The Soviets nationalized private property and started the so-called “уплотнение” (housing compaction), giving rooms to working-class families in large central apartments that used to belong to [previous owners]. Note that renters were “compacted” too. This project officially laid the groundwork for the often bizarre kommunalka housing - a resilient symbol of the Soviet past. https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/331621-lenin-putin-soviet-russian-housing https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/331621-lenin-putin-soviet-rus... So you are having problems looking for a 2bd apartment for a family of 3? What about one room in an apartment with a bath shared by 4 other families?