Stephen Westlake

Stephen has a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from University of Victoria, a Diploma from the London Academy of Dramatic Art, and a Special Education Assistant Certificate from Vancouver Island University. Stephen worked as a professional working within the housing continuum for over thirty years in Canada. Stephen is currently living and working in Nunavut with Inuit communities as a Program Manager for the Igluliuqatigiingniq 3000 Homes Strategy with the Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Housing Corporation. He is Co-Chair of the Interdepartmental Supported Housing Working Group and manages other programs such as the Nunalingni Piruqpaalirut Growth Fund. Stephen is actively engaged with collaborative housing initiatives with stakeholders, designed to build capacity and support strengthening a range of options within the housing continuum in Nunavummiut. Stephen organized and helped facilitate a collaborative strategic two-day Supported Housing Planning Session in Iqaluit with various stakeholders.

Prior to working with the Government of Nunavut Stephen worked with Housing Services with the City of Ottawa for over fifteen years as a Program Manager and Program Coordinator. Stephen served as a Program Manager for Family Shelter Service and Housing Benefits (2022-2024), and as a Program Coordinator working in partnership with emergency shelter transitional organizations, as well as Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations providing supported housing and Housing First programs (2008-2022). Stephen presented at the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness Conference in 2019 in Edmonton on the Housing First Landlord Damage Fund. During Stephen’s time working with the City of Ottawa he was a Campaign Manager for the United Way Employee Campaign, helping to raise millions of dollars for multiple social services programs in the Ottawa area.

Stephen’s work experience also includes working with people with disabilities in various supportive housing models for over ten years, including in licenced residential settings in British Columbia, where he was a Residential Manager and Board Member of two non-profit organizations. Stephen was a community support worker for several years and helped founders of an intentional Camphill Community develop and establish a supportive residential and land-based community. Stephen then worked in Ontario with non-profits working with marginalized populations including at risk children and youth, and adults. Stephen was a supervisor in a youth group home and has worked with a children’s mental health organization in Ottawa. Stephen was an Employment Support Specialist worker and Job Coach with Causeway Work Centre with homeless and at-risk youth and adults for two years in Ottawa supporting people who were marginalized find and retain employment.

Stephen was a Professional Stage Manager before working in housing and social services from 1979-1991 in the UK and Europe, Stage Managing West End shows, Repertory theatre, Opera, Ballet and touring shows, and has years of experience leading and supervising teams of stage management, stage crews & managing artists. This exciting theatre career followed a two-year intensive Diploma program training at LAMDA, a top London Drama College in the UK.