Entrepreneur sells his company to give life to a village with 99 micro-house for homeless people

From the protagonist of the world of technology to social entrepreneur: the story of Marcel Lebrun is an example of how success can turn into an opportunity for others. After the millionaire sale of his Radian6 company in Salesforce, he could have chosen the road of retreat or new investments in the digital sector. Instead he decided to use his capital and his energy to face a very different challenge: the fight against housing poverty in his city, Fredericton, in New Brunswick.

The 12 Neighbours project

From this choice 12 Neighbours was born, an innovative village made up of 99 micro-house intended for homeless people. Each house, of about 22 square meters, is equipped with kitchen, bathroom, sleeping area and solar panels, to guarantee not only shelter but also autonomy and dignity. Lebrun’s idea has never been to create a temporary refuge, but a stable space from which to start again, with rents proportionate to income and support services.

The strength of 12 Neighbours does not only reside in homes, but in the integrated approach. Around the micro-house, Lebrun developed an ecosystem made of training, social enterprise and personal support. There are a cafeteria, community gardens, workshops and job reintegration programs. Some residents manage production activities, others dedicate themselves to the study or care of the common spaces. The goal is to restore independence and concrete possibilities for those who have been excluded for too long.

Neighbourly Homes, the next step

The success of the project led to the birth of Neighbourly Homes, a more agile version designed to respond urgently to housing emergencies. Here the housing units, 14 for each settlement, are built in local factories with a reduced cost to only 7,500 dollars each, much less than traditional homes.

Also in this case, in the center there is the idea of ​​immediate inclusion: no barrier at the entrance, no restrictive condition. Lebrun’s experience shows how practical philanthropy can generate a tangible impact. Not an isolated gesture of charity, but a model capable of inspiring governments, associations and citizens.

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