Kommunalkas in the USSR were multi-family apartment buildings where several families lived in one room, sharing a kitchen and bathroom. They became common after the 1917 Revolution and continued to exist throughout the Soviet period, although they became less popular after the 1950s.
Communal housing was inevitable in the context of limited resources and construction capabilities of the Soviet Union. Many factors, such as poverty, low housing stock and shortage of living space, made communal apartments necessary.
The communal apartments were inhabited by the middle and lower classes, as well as large families and immigrants. These houses were filled with people, and there was usually not much free space. In addition, sometimes the rooms were not separated from each other by a wall, and the space was divided only by a screen or partition.
Life in a communal apartment was difficult. Neighbors often argued over noise, dirt, and smells, as well as the need to use the same amenities. In addition, there were other problems such as lack of privacy, low living space levels, cold winters, and other inconveniences.
By the end of the 1980s, the number of communal apartments in the USSR began to decrease, and they are now a rarity.