I've mentioned before that the problem with Affordable Housing isn't strictly an Amerikan one, similar situations exist in the UK, Oz and Canada as well, all the former Brit colonies.  It shouldn't be too surprising to hear that Germany also has the problem, despite theoretically being more "socialist" in Europe.  In fact, the same banking system is used everywhere, and there is not that much difference in how developers are financed and home buyers get mortgages.  It's all the "Persoonal Property" model throughout Western Europe.

I suspect the housing situation is not that much better in Eastern Europe in the countries that were part of the old Soviet Union, but for different reasons.  In Moscow for instance, the population has been undergoing die off since the fall of the Soviet Union, which should leave apartments emptied by dead people.  However, I also doubt much new construction has taken place over the last 40 years either, as the State used to build housing and issue it out, but I doubt they do it that way now.  Nor do I think there are many private contractors. So they probably are living in buildings dating back to WWII and earlier.

https://www.dw.com/en/german-housing-crisis-finding-a-home-like-winning-the-lottery/a-68840785

German housing crisis: 'Like winning the lottery!'

RE