Canadian Millionaire Builds Tiny Homes for the Homeless
Marcel Lebrun, a millionaire entrepreneur from New Brunswick, Canada, is proving how personal wealth can create lasting change in the face of major social challenges.
After selling his thriving software company, Lebrun redirected his energy toward one of his community’s most urgent issues: homelessness.
His visionary initiative, “12 Neighbors,” is a tiny-home village in Fredericton that provides not only safe housing but also hope, stability, and a fresh start for people in need.
This transformative project is about far more than building homes.
It’s focused on restoring dignity, building community, and empowering individuals with the resources they need to rebuild their lives.
With a blend of his own financial commitment and support from government partners, Lebrun has turned a compassionate idea into a life-changing reality for countless people.
A Vision for Affordable Housing
The 12 Neighbors project is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: that housing is a basic human right. After witnessing the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness, Marcel Lebrun set out to create a solution that addressed both urgent needs and long-term stability.
The tiny homes in this growing community offer far more than a roof overhead—they provide residents with a safe, comfortable space to truly call their own.
Each home is carefully designed with essential amenities, including a private bathroom, kitchenette, and sleeping area. Though compact, these units offer everything residents need for daily living. As Lebrun noted in an interview with CBC, “They’re all pretty small, tiny houses, but they have everything in them.” This emphasis on practical design ensures that individuals have a strong foundation as they begin rebuilding their lives.
One of the most remarkable features of 12 Neighbors is its affordability.
Rent is set at just 30% of each resident’s income, making the homes accessible to people with limited financial means. By lifting the heavy burden of traditional housing costs, Lebrun is giving residents the freedom to focus on employment, education, personal development, and long-term stability.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment
Safety is a cornerstone of the 12 Neighbors community. The village is gated and equipped with strategically placed security cameras to ensure residents feel protected at all times. For many people who have experienced homelessness, safety is an ongoing concern—so building a secure environment is essential for creating a sense of peace and stability.
But 12 Neighbors aims to offer more than physical protection—it strives to build a supportive, inclusive community.
Lebrun knows that social isolation is one of the biggest barriers for individuals trying to rebuild their lives. That’s why the village is intentionally designed to encourage connection, collaboration, and friendship. Shared community spaces give residents the chance to gather, share meals, and form meaningful relationships. This sense of belonging fosters a strong support network, which is critical for anyone transitioning out of homelessness.
Empowering Residents Through Employment
One of the most forward-thinking features of 12 Neighbors is its commitment to providing on-site employment opportunities. Lebrun believes that financial independence is key to breaking the cycle of homelessness, so he integrated practical, accessible jobs directly into the community.
Residents can take on roles such as maintaining the village, assisting in construction projects, or working with small businesses within the community. These jobs offer more than just a paycheck—they help individuals build new skills, gain valuable work experience, and rebuild their confidence.
By combining housing and employment in one location, 12 Neighbors removes many of the logistical hurdles that often prevent people experiencing homelessness from securing stable work. It’s a model designed around empowerment, giving residents the tools and support they need to create a brighter, more self-sufficient future.
Scaling Up: Ambitious Goals for the Future
Although 12 Neighbors is already making a substantial impact, Lebrun’s vision reaches far beyond its current size. He plans to continue expanding the village, steadily adding new homes produced through his own manufacturing facility.
The project is funded through a blend of Lebrun’s personal investment and government support—a powerful example of how public-private partnerships can address complex social issues. Together, they are creating a sustainable model that can be replicated in communities across the country.
Central to this expansion is Lebrun’s tiny-home factory, which ensures efficient, high-quality construction. This streamlined production process allows the community to grow while maintaining thoughtful design and affordability. By lowering costs and increasing scalability, 12 Neighbors is able to extend its impact to even more individuals in need.
Faith in Action: A Commitment to Service
For Lebrun, 12 Neighbors is not just a housing initiative—it is a deeply personal mission rooted in faith and compassion. His dedication to serving others is inspired by the biblical verse: “Truly, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers, you did for me!” (Matthew 25:40).
This guiding principle reflects his belief that true success is measured not by wealth, but by the positive change one brings to the lives of others. Through 12 Neighbors, Lebrun is living out that belief every day, transforming his vision of compassion into a community where dignity, hope, and opportunity thrive.
The Broader Impact of 12 Neighbors
The 12 Neighbors project is not only transforming the lives of its residents—it’s creating meaningful change throughout the wider community and beyond.
By directly addressing homelessness in Fredericton, the initiative is easing the pressure on local shelters, hospitals, and social services. It stands as a powerful example of how innovative, human-centered solutions can tackle even the most complex social challenges.
12 Neighbors proves that homelessness is not an impossible problem—it is one that can be addressed with creativity, collaboration, and compassion. Lebrun’s work is inspiring others to take action, showing entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and policymakers what becomes possible when someone chooses to invest in their community with purpose and heart.
The Human Side of 12 Neighbors
The true impact of 12 Neighbors is best seen in the lives of the people who now call it home.
For many residents, these tiny houses represent far more than a roof—they symbolize a fresh start, a renewed sense of dignity, and a chance to rebuild. One resident shared how the stability of having a permanent home gave them the confidence to reconnect with family members they hadn’t seen in years.
Another resident spoke about how the supportive community environment gave them the courage to pursue a new career path, something they never believed was within reach.
These stories highlight the profound, life-changing ripple effects of the project. By providing stable housing and a supportive environment, 12 Neighbors is helping individuals break free from the cycle of homelessness and envision a future filled with possibility.
A Model for Change
As homelessness continues to challenge communities across the world, projects like 12 Neighbors offer a clear roadmap for meaningful, sustainable change.
Lebrun’s approach—combining affordability, safety, community support, and opportunities for empowerment—offers a holistic model that could be replicated in other cities and countries. It’s a scalable, compassionate solution to a global issue, one that prioritizes dignity and long-term stability over temporary fixes.
By focusing on the root causes of homelessness, 12 Neighbors is setting a new benchmark for what affordable housing initiatives can and should look like.
Summary
Marcel Lebrun’s 12 Neighbors project stands as a powerful example of what happens when compassion meets innovation.
By investing his personal resources into creating a community that offers far more than housing, Lebrun is changing lives and inspiring others to think differently about how to help those in need. At its core, 12 Neighbors is about restoring dignity, building meaningful connections, and offering hope.
It serves as a reminder that each of us has the ability to make a difference—whether through our resources, our time, or our willingness to care.
In a world often focused on individual success, Lebrun’s work underscores the importance of giving back. His vision for 12 Neighbors is not just a solution to homelessness—it is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and service.
As the project continues to grow, it stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking stability and a call to action for others who want to create meaningful change in their own communities.
Source: CBC News: The National