They simply have no adult concept of economics. What I can't figure out is why no one expects farmers to provide for free the food they grow with labor and capital.

The best I can figure out is this is a "cultural memory" throwback to the medieval system when "landlord" meant literally the man who owned the land that you built your house on. He provided nothing and thus had no expenses, and likely inherited the land. Modern rental housing is a capital and labor intensive business. It's not magic. I'd love to hear the Comrades here explain exactly how they think it should work.