He Sold His Company for Millions—Then Used \$4M to Build Tiny Homes for the Homeless Instead of Buying a Mansion

What would you do if you suddenly had millions in the bank?

Buy a mansion? Travel the world? Retire early?

But Marcel LeBrun took a different path. After cashing out of his tech company with a massive eight-figure payday, this Canadian millionaire didn’t run off to buy a yacht or a luxury penthouse. Instead, he built 99 tiny homes—not for himself, but for the people in his city who had no roof over their heads.

Let that sink in.

Last year alone, more than 1,800 people in Fredericton, New Brunswick found themselves without a place to call home. That number might seem small compared to U.S. cities, but to Marcel, it was too many. So, he invested \$4 million of his own money into a bold vision: **a neighborhood of dignity, not desperation.

He called it 12 Neighbours. It’s more than just tiny houses—it’s a real community. Each home has a kitchen, bathroom, bed, and even solar panels. There’s a front porch to sit on. A coffee shop run by residents. Plans for a silk-screening business. Even a teaching kitchen. It’s a place where people can work, grow, and rebuild.

Not everyone loved the idea. Some critics said it was better to “integrate” the homeless into regular neighborhoods. But Marcel wasn’t just handing out shelter—he was giving people ownership. A place they could call their own. Because when someone has a key to their own front door, something shifts inside them.

“This isn’t just about homes,” he said. “It’s about building a better city.”

And he’s not alone. Cities across the U.S.—from California to New York—are experimenting with tiny home villages as a way to tackle homelessness. But the results have been mixed. Some say they feel like they’re just being moved from one box to another, with little support. Others say tiny homes offer more dignity than crowded shelters ever could.

So, what makes Marcel’s approach different?

He treats people like neighbors, not numbers.

This story isn’t just about Canada. It’s about all of us. About the kind of world we choose to build together. About rethinking what “home” really means. And maybe—just maybe—about what you would do if you had the chance to change someone’s life.

Would you live in a tiny home if it meant starting fresh? Do you think your city should try something like this? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Bored panda