The residents are thrilled to have a safe place to store all the stuff they collect on the street, she said. The residence has a boutique for donated clothes. One man was at Safe Haven only a month, she said. The greatest thing we did for him was cut his hair and give him clothes. With his new look, people were much nicer to him, she said.
New occupants receive a basket of toiletries with such things as shampoo, soap, towels and a razor.
With public restrooms in the area closed to homeless people, they have nowhere to clean up, Lundstrom said. Some also prefer a grungy appearance, she said. It is a coat of armor, and a sad one. Many of the homeless are Vietnam veterans. Their disillusion is associated with the military.