Disabled adults living in two Mid-Missouri group homes will need to move out early next month.
Residents at Arbor Ridge Manor in Linn and Arbor Ridge Estates in Belle received letters from owners Jeff and RayAnne Strubberg on Monday morning, notifying them the facilities will be closing. An initial letter gave no explanation as to why the home was closing and listed no specific date for when residents must leave.
A second letter that came later in the day stated residents need to vacate the facilities by end of the day Dec. 3 - in 10 days.
The first letter stated the 32 residents need to secure alternative housing "as quickly as possible." Before the second letter was distributed, the News Tribune contacted Amelia Busch, manager at Arbor Ridge Manor, who said she was informed that residents were given a 30-day notice. She added she is trying to find residents housing options.
"Currently, I'm working on that right now," Busch said. "I'm trying to find somewhere they want to be."
Busch said she was called about the closings before the first letters were distributed to residents, adding she was "shocked" by the news. There are five employees at the Linn location, including Busch, who said she is focusing on the residents' needs rather than her employment.
"Right now, I'm working on taking care of the residents," she said.
The residents have options in Mid-Missouri, she said, but she is waiting on return calls from other facilities and is not sure which group homes can take in the residents.
In May, the Strubbergs filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. According to bankruptcy documents, they have more than $3.8 million in liabilities, which includes business debt. Of that, there are more than $1.725 million in claims with the IRS through the health service the facilities used, Kindred Care LLC.
The couple did not return a call for comment.
Cathy Serino, a 48-year-old resident of the Linn group home, said she felt "pure panic" while reading the letter this morning. Diagnosed with severe depression, Serino lives in Arbor Ridge for its medication management services. Residents have mental and physical disabilities, she said.
The news of the closings came as a surprise for Serino, she said, despite indications of trouble. She said bill collectors had called and harassed management, and people had looked at the building. Instead of visiting family for Thanksgiving, Serino said she'll likely be spending the time to find new housing.
"I have nothing in line," she said. "I have no idea where I'm going from here."
The Strubbergs' letter states that staff will "facilitate a smooth transition."
"Please know that this was not an easy decision for us," the letter states. "It has been a true pleasure being a part of your lives over the past two years. We wish you all the very best."