SEATTLE -- The name Spring Manor is meant to conjure up pleasant images.

But what's happening inside the Capitol Hill boarding house is anything but, according to those who live nearby.

"I don't come out at night by myself. I never will," said neighbor Pennie Richerson.

Richerson lives across the street from the home, operated by Community House Mental Health Agency.

The home has been a trouble spot for neighbors and the state.

Last fall, after reportedly making several attempts to talk to staffers there about his condition, a 47- year-old man committed suicide.

Neighbor Chelsea Alvarez doesn't mince words.

"It makes me uncomfortable that there are people that our city is supposed to be watching out for, that are being left alone to the point that they can cut their own wrists and jump out of a window without anyone noticing," said Alvarez.

It is one several facilities the Community House group is contracted to operate for King County -- two of which, will close in a few days -- The Inn and the Summit Inn, meaning several dozen clients will need to find a new place to stay -- many of which will end up at Spring Manor.

Mental health watchdog Louise Ryan has been lobbying the state for changes there for months.

"It is just incredibly alarming and it's not acceptable," said Ryan, a long-term care ombudsman.

Ryan fears the situation there could get even worse, unless the Department of Social and Health Services takes more steps to make changes at the facility, including increases in staffing.

According to Ryan, the DSHS already cited Spring Manor for many violations, including:

Two residents who jumped from a two-story patio and were severely injured.

A resident found dead in bed for over 36 hours before being noticed.

Unsanitary conditions such as cockroaches, soiled clothing, broken furniture and garbage piled up outside the buildings.

Ryan said a different Community House facility got in trouble for having a resident stay in a room with mud-covered floors with earthworms living in it.

"I can't think of any place else this bad," said Ryan.

After several attempts to contact Community House leadership about this story, the group's executive director e-mailed us, saying he didn't feel these issues "need to be revisited," and that Spring Manor is in "excellent shape," and that there are currently "no outstanding issues or citations with DSHS."

As for the other aged facilities they're in the process of shutting down, he said "they'd served the community admirably for over 40 years, but the political will to save them and make them better was not possible."

"Sometimes I feel like they are lost souls," said Richerson.

Richerson and her neighbors feel that in the end , this story isn't just about Spring Manor but more about a city with a lack of affordable housing and a society that often turns its back on people with mental problems.

"It just makes me really sad," Richerson said.

Richerson said what would ultimately make her happy is if the residents across the street from her ever looked happy.

The state Department of Social and Health Services said it is currently doing an in-depth follow up inspection of the Spring Manor facility and won't say if it is a result of KIRO’s story.

The state does believe that Community House has made progress in getting the conditions in the home up to standards but there are still several things staff needs to improve on.