Ben Peters used to have a stable, well-paying job in Edmonton, but moved to Vancouver to be with a partner and was out of a home after they split.

Now he's been homeless on the Downtown Eastside for more than a year and was one of dozens on Sunday getting a free haircut at Oppenheimer Park.

"It makes you feel better. you feel more confident about yourself," he said. "If you're in dirty clothes and you haven't showered and you're not clean, it affects you."

Ben Peters has been homeless for 15 months. He says a haircut can do wonders for someone living on the streets. (Rhianna Schmunk/CBC)

Two groups of barbers were offering fresh trims, one of which was from Faded Barbershop in Coquitlam.

They served four customers at a time, handing out sandwiches and bottles of water too.

Owner Hesam Shah said it's the first time his staff have done something like this.

"There's a bigger community of people who are homeless and people who can't afford to pay for haircuts [downtown]," he said. "We opened up shop about 18 months ago, so now it's time to give something back to the community instead of just making money."

Shah said he hopes to keep bringing his team down at least once a month during the summertime.

The Street Thug Barbers, who have been offering free haircuts once a week for two years now, also set up shop on Sunday.

Josh Malcolm, one of the co-founders, said the group has regular clients — including women and children.

Josh Malcolm has been giving free haircuts to people who are homeless for years. He says making a human connection can be just as important as the haircut itself. (Rhianna Schmunk/CBC)

"We try and create a nice environment here, put on music, have a light feel," he said.

"If we can get someone smiling, enjoying their day a little bit more, walking away feeling better with a haircut and attitude from this environment that they've hung out in ... then that's all we're really down here to give.

"We want to show there are people that care about them," Malcolm said.

Peters said a new haircut is an especially good boost for anyone on the job hunt.

"Not being clean shouldn't totally ruin your chances, but you have a better chance at getting a job if you're clean and you have a clean appearance and positive attitude ... that's a big deal."