In this episode, Lance sits down with startup founder, investor, and housing advocate Liam Gill to unpack a provocative idea: What if Toronto’s housing crisis could be solved by everyday citizens?
Drawing from his background in startups, venture capital law, and policy advocacy, Gill makes the case that Toronto is one of the only cities in the world where nearly every major challenge can be solved through policy—and more importantly, through participation.
At the center of the conversation is his concept of the “citizen developer,” a new class of everyday people who can play an active role in resolving the housing crisis. From fourplexes to laneway homes to 10-unit apartment buildings, Gill breaks down how recent zoning changes have quietly unlocked a generational opportunity.
Key Takeaways
- Housing isn’t just a crisis—it’s an opportunity. Most people just don’t see the entry point.
- Policy has already shifted. The real gap now is awareness and execution.
- You don’t need to be a developer to build. But you do need to understand the system.
- Entrepreneurial thinking beats industry experience in emerging, undefined spaces.
- Small-scale density at scale (missing middle) could meaningfully impact affordability.
- The future of housing will be shaped by those willing to take informed risks early.
About the Guest
Liam Gill is a Toronto-based investor, lawyer, and housing advocate focused on unlocking practical solutions to Canada’s housing crisis. With a background spanning venture capital, M&A law, and startup leadership, Gill brings a uniquely cross-disciplinary perspective to real estate and urban policy.
He is the author of Building the Missing Middle: A Citizen Developer’s Guide, a practical framework designed to help everyday Canadians understand—and participate in—housing development. His work bridges the gap between policy and execution, advocating for a more accessible, transparent, and participatory housing system.
