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	Burlington Mental Health Clients Left in Limbo By Jack Thurston WCAX November 10, 2010 http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=13480485 The clock is ticking on the Lakeview Community Care Home. Lakeview houses 17 older adults who need nursing and clinical care for severe emotional and physical disabilities. But the HowardCenter's lease on the property runs out November 30 and right now, it has no place to go. "This is a community problem," said Bob Bick of the HowardCenter. "We've combed the real estate market extensively throughout Chittenden County." The HowardCenter rents Lakeview from the Vermont Catholic Diocese for a low price. But the church is selling its property-- including the care home-- to Burlington College so the diocese can fund multi-million dollar settlements with victims of sexual abuse by former priests. "Finding a location for 17 individuals just in terms of size alone limits the facility choices that are available in the community," Bick said. The center also has several requirements, including a location on the bus line. Two residents of the home approached us and told us they love living here; that the folks in the facility are like a family and they'd like to stay. But Burlington College plans to turn the property into student housing. Jane O'Meara Sanders, the president of Burlington College, promises she will not kick out the mental health clients when the school formally buys the buildings, which could be in just a few weeks. State officials, the church, and college are working with the HowardCenter to find a new facility. Burlington College does not plan to subdivide the diocese property and sell off pieces of it. It says the church wanted to keep the parcels together. "There is no way I would ever let the people have a transition that wasn't a positive transition. Where there's a will, there's a way," Sanders said. Burlington College needs to do a lot of work on the house before students could move in, so it does want to start planning. In the meantime, the HowardCenter continues shopping for real estate that ensures quality care.
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