They do absolutely apply. And they work. Look at two incredible examples. Russia, post 1917, went from a third world feudal economy (albeit with incredible land resources and considerable intellectual institutions) to the second largest industrial economy in the world in 30 years. China: I will leave off their incredible growth curve over the last 40 years.

There are obviously downsides to top-down centrally controlled economies but to say they don't work is ridiculous.

I don't want to live in a top-down economy. It's too oppressive. I would prefer bottom-up socialism based on worker cooperatives.

But there are some services that are so critical that they cannot be left to the market with it's wealth-centralisation and pay-to-play politics leaving the vast majority in destitution.

Housing is one of these critical services.