When communist were forced on Poland by soviets in 1945 one of their tasks for the next decade (that continued until 1980 collapse) was to build houses and give it to people. Other tasks were less nice like killing opposition, but housing was indeed how they decided to spent the resources.

US could start a massive communal housing programm on federal budget. They chose not to.

European version: take most of your time off during summer or we all have problems around Christmas