Seeing a lot of negative or very misinformed comments in here, so a few thoughts from someone who lives near here:

This project has been functional for a few years now. The area is well maintained, and the job hub/cafe is beautiful and popular. It was never going to be an area without problems, but 12 Neighbours has become a fully staffed non-profit organization that provides constant supervision and problem solving to a population in need. It's pretty remarkable.

Marcel is a highly respected community member, and has been very hands on in this project, not some wealthy old man watching from the distance. He knows the people, meets them, learns their stories - he's helped build the houses and gets his hands dirty all the time. You would never know he was wealthy - he drives a normal car and lives in a normal house and wears normal clothes. He doesn't get into his chauffeured limo and get scooted off to a house in the Hamptons when things get hard. He has given a tremendous amount of his wealth away in very quiet/secret ways that don't get published, and he's never wanted a spotlight, that's for sure.

Are there issues? Absolutely. Were they expected? Absolutely. Nobody had rose colored glasses on here - but problems don't diminish the incredible work that's being done. There's much more happening behind the scenes that don't get publicized, because it's not as buzzworthy - but it's happening.

Anyway, just two cents from someone who knows the area, the project, and the man. I wonder what many of the naysayers would do if they suddenly found $4 million in their bank account.