Canadian entrepreneur Marcel LeBrun sold his social media monitoring company, Radian6, NT
Canadian entrepreneur Marcel LeBrun sold his social media monitoring company, Radian6, to Salesforce for $326 million, subsequently using his fortune to combat the growing housing crisis.
Pivoting toward philanthropy, LeBrun personally invested $4 million of his own money—supplemented by $12 million in government grants—to construct a permanent village of 99 fully equipped tiny homes.
Named the 12 Neighbours Community, the 65-acre development was built in his hometown of Fredericton, New Brunswick, explicitly to provide dignified housing for the local unhoused population.
Each 240-square-foot micro-home is a standalone structure featuring a full kitchen, a private bathroom, a living and sleeping area, solar panels, and a small front porch.
Rather than operating as a temporary shelter, the gated neighborhood functions under a “housing first” philosophy, charging residents subsidized, income-based rent capped at 30%—typically totaling $200 or less per month.
To ensure long-term independence, the village includes an on-site social enterprise center equipped with a community café, a silk printing business, and workshops where residents are hired to build skills and earn a stable income
