Voicing the struggles of homelessness: No Homeless Problem and Other Poems

A formerly homeless man who is now being supported by nationwide charity Emmaus has published a moving collection of poems that provide an honest first-hand account of what it can mean to be homeless.

No Homeless Problem is a collection of poems based on the real life stories of 44 people who have experienced homelessness and are now being supported by local Emmaus’s across the UK. Each poem invites the reader to understand the issues surrounding homelessness and the reality of living on the street. This powerful collection of poetry has allowed individuals to voice the struggles that hundreds of homeless people face daily.

Irish writer Séamus Fox came to understand the social and human injustices that result in so many people finding themselves living on the streets. The writer has battled alcoholism and experienced homelessness himself when in 2015, he moved to London to find work but found himself homeless after several months. Eventually he found Emmaus and he now works and lives at the Cambridge Community. He undertook the writing of this book to give back to the Emmaus family that he feels such a part of, but also to raise awareness about the serious social issues surrounding homelessness and addiction.

Speaking about the book, Séamus said:

“I wrote this book to give an insight into how different people may become homeless and how they attempt to survive on the street. I want people who have never been homeless, or who have never known homeless people, to search in their souls for shreds of compassion.”

There are currently 29 Emmaus communities across the country, supporting more than 800 companions in the UK. In 2017, Séamus spent nine months travelling to a number of Emmaus communities to gather content by listening to the stories and experiences of those who have found themselves homeless.

Emmaus UK President, Terry Waite CBE, said:

“Anyone who may have casually dismissed homeless people as being parasites should read what Séamus has written. It is insightful, moving and compelling. The writer has the gift of language and is able to put into verse the feelings and aspirations of many.”

There are currently 29 Emmaus communities across the country, supporting more than 800 people across the UK who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion. In addition there are five Emmaus groups, all of which are working towards setting up an Emmaus community in their area. Emmaus aims to offer 1,000 companion places by 2020.

No Homeless Problem and other poems by Séamus Fox is available at Emmaus communities across the UK for £7.99 or online at: arkbound.com/product/no-homeless-problem-seamus-fox/

To find out more about Emmaus, visit www.emmaus.org.uk.

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