Around the world, almost every community, no matter how big or little, has to deal with the problem of homelessness. Although governments, non-governmental organizations, and other entities are working to address it, the problem has yet to be resolved. Taking matters into his own hands, one Canadian millionaire used his fortune to alleviate homelessness in his hometown. What he did was this.
99 Tiny Homes Are Built by a Fredericton, New Brunswick, Millionaire to Address Homelessness and Create Jobs
A billionaire businessman in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, has taken an extraordinary step to combat homelessness in his community. In order to construct 99 tiny homes for the underprivileged, Marcel LeBrun, the creator of the popular social media monitoring business, has donated $4 million of his personal funds. In addition to offering a secure and reliable housing alternative, his creative approach has generated employment prospects. Let’s explore the motivational tale of Marcel LeBrun and his 12 Neighbours project. (1) and (2)
Twelve Neighbors: Their History
Following the sale of his business for a substantial profit, LeBrun made the decision to use his newfound income for charitable causes. He saw Fredericton’s homelessness issue and had an idea for a tiny-home village that would give homeless people a second shot. His idea, which he called 12 Neighbours, aims to construct a gated community with 99 residences and an enterprise center that provides employment and housing.
Resolving an Urgent Concern
In New Brunswick, homelessness is a widespread problem; last year, almost 1,600 people were homeless for at least one day. We are aware that the number of homeless people is far higher in other major American cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. Marcel LeBrun recognized a chance to change things and make the lives of people in this difficult situation better.
Establishing a Community
There is more to LeBrun’s plan for 12 Neighbours than just building tiny houses. He sees himself as a community builder who works to make the neighborhood a welcoming place for locals. In addition to providing shelter, the small houses are completely outfitted with living areas, kitchens, bedrooms, toilets, and even solar panel systems mounted on the rooftops.
Building the Residences
In order to realize his idea, LeBrun set up a factory where the homes are put together by trained volunteers. One tiny home is produced by the firm every four business days using cutting-edge manufacturing techniques. The dwellings are meticulously moved onto concrete blocks after construction, creating the community’s basis.
Ownership’s Effect
Homeownership, in the opinion of Marcel LeBrun, is essential in providing persons who have been homeless with stability and a sense of responsibility. 12 Neighbours seeks to empower its citizens and create a community of support by giving them the chance to own their own property.
Jobs’ Significance
In addition to housing, LeBrun’s proposal aims to give its citizens employment opportunities. The residents of 12 Neighbours operate a silk printing company and coffee shop in the industry center. This business endeavor fosters communication between the locals and the larger community in addition to producing revenue.
Disputation and Criticism
As with any ambitious endeavor, there have been some criticisms about 12 Neighbours. Some contend that rather than putting homeless people in segregation, it is preferable to reintegrate them into society. LeBrun, however, is aware of the possible difficulties and has taken action to protect the community’s safety and welfare.
We wanted to make a dent in the difficulty that we have here in Fredericton because building four homes is just as difficult as building ten or twenty, given all the obstacles you have to overcome. .. Speaking of his strategy as opposed to a decentralized one, LeBrun stated, “We have to build some houses if we want to actually make a meaningful difference.” “Let’s assume I take someone who has been living on the streets and offer them a luxurious apartment in the city with free rent for ten years. Will they succeed? They don’t live in that community. That’s not the environment they’re accustomed to.
Keeping the Community Safe
Modern security measures have been put in place within the 12 Neighbours community by Marcel LeBrun, who has recognized the necessity for security. With guarded access and excellent security, the neighborhood offers its members a secure environment.
“Once [the resident] moves into a house, other people show up and say, ‘Hey, you owe me this, you owe me that,’ and they kind of take over. They have to learn what it means to have a space where you are actually the manager of that space, having control over it and being able to choose who you invite in and out.” That presents a problem. LeBrun described to CBC a few of the difficulties locals encounter.
Interaction with the Community
A fundamental objective of 12 Neighbours is to cultivate a feeling of community both inside and outside its boundaries. LeBrun hopes to provide a gathering place for locals and Fredericton residents, providing amenities like a coffee shop and customized printing to encourage communication and understanding.
He told CBC, “I consider myself a community builder, and what we’re doing here is not just building a little community, but we’re building a community in a city, like how do we help our city be better?”
Creating an Impact
Marcel LeBrun’s project to build 99 small homes to fight homelessness in Fredericton, New Brunswick, is a remarkable illustration of how one person’s accomplishment can be used to change the world. In addition to offering a workable solution to homelessness, LeBrun has created a network of support and career prospects with the establishment of 12 Neighbours. Through his commitment and generosity, he has inspired others to change the world and become a ray of hope for those in need.
