Sunbeam Celebrates Opening of New Fairmount Home to Support Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Complex Needs

May 28, 2026

New inclusive living group home expands local developmental services capacity, providing more opportunities to enable discharges from long hospital stays for persons with developmental disabilities.

KITCHENER, ON | MAY 27, 2026 – Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services officially celebrated the opening of its newest specialized inclusive living home today in Kitchener. Supported through a $1.72 million capital investment from Ontario’s Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), the new Fairmount Home will provide tailored inclusive living with wrap-around supports for up to five individuals living with developmental disabilities. This increased local capacity will help Sunbeam to continue enabling and supporting the discharge of individuals from extended hospital stays into permanent, supportive, community-based home environments.

Over the past 10 years, Sunbeam has facilitated successful hospital discharges of at least 17 individuals living with developmental disabilities and other complex needs, having an accumulated hospital stay of at least 44 years.

“Today marks an important milestone not only for Sunbeam, but for the individuals who will call this house their home,” said Brian Swainson, CEO of Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services. “This home represents belonging, stability and independence, providing the opportunity for people living with developmental disabilities and other complex needs to live within a supportive community environment tailored to their goals and wellbeing.”

The Fairmount Home was developed through the province’s Dual Diagnosis – Alternate Level of Care (DD-ALC) initiative, which aims to create more appropriate housing and support options for individuals who no longer require hospital-level care but face barriers transitioning back into the community.

The home includes independent living units with onsite 24/7 staff support, shared community spaces, and outdoor areas designed to foster inclusion, comfort, and connection. Located near Sunbeam’s main campus in Kitchener, and as with all of Sunbeam’s inclusive living homes, wrap-around supports and individualized services are provided through a combination of Sunbeam specialized resources as well as through partnerships with local health, community and social services providers. Such resources and supports include: Snoezelen Multi-Sensory Lounge, Therapeutic Swimming Pool, Seating & Mobility Clinic, Specialized Dental Clinic, Recreation & Wellness Programming, social worker, behaviour therapist, occupational therapist, registered dietitian, speech language pathologist, adult protective service worker, as well as linkages to primary care providers, nursing services and psychiatric services.

“Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services has long been a pillar of support for individuals with developmental disabilities in our community,” said Jess Dixon, MPP for Kitchener South—Hespeler. “This new home, made possible through an investment by the Ontario Government, will make a meaningful difference by ensuring individuals have access to the supports they need to live safely, independently, and with dignity.”

This additional inclusive living capacity will help to address the growing demand for specialized developmental services across Waterloo Region.

“The impact of inclusive living homes like these, extends beyond what it means for the immediate residents – benefiting their families, caregivers, and the broader community by reducing the demand on emergency and crisis services and promoting a more inclusive society,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “We are excited about this opportunity for Sunbeam to provide much-needed community supports to some of our most vulnerable residents. This initiative has the potential to create meaningful change, including providing relief to our over-burdened hospitals.”

Local elected officials, representatives from MCCSS, and from community, health and social service partners joined together with future residents, their support staff, and board members for the official opening celebration and tour of the new home. Individuals will move into their new home at Fairmount in early June.

Since 2020, Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services has significantly expanded its number of inclusive living and overnight respite locations in response to growing community need, with additional service expansion initiatives currently underway.