The event has been prompted by cuts to services provided by the Quamby House shelter in South Albury.

It starts at 6pm at St Matthew’s Church.

Bishop John Parkes and Archdeacon Father Peter MacLeod-Miller have invited Albury mayor Alice Glachan to chair the forum.

They have invited the member for Farrer Sussan Ley, workers from Quamby House and Carevan and members of the public.

The forum aimed to identify the issues and challenges of homeless people and any solutions.

Bishop John Parkes said they planned to have a sleepout on the night of the forum that he would participate in.

“If they are one of our people, it should be our solution,” Bishop Parkes said.

Bishop Parkes and Father MacLeod-Miller expected the forum would encourage politicians to act.

“It is fair to say this should be an important issue in the face of an election,” Bishop Parkes said.

“If the government don’t offer more money for emergency housing for the homeless then they need to create more jobs.”

He said he was preaching about the issue because he had done everything possible to care for the homeless.

“I’m going to put my money where my mouth is,” he said.

“I have no right to preach if I am not delivering the best care I can.”

Father MacLeod-Miller said the local politicians would show concern.

“I put my confidence in Sussan Ley,” he said.

“If she can shake out a solution she will.”

Bishop Parkes said it was vital because it could happen to anyone.

“They are people who have had hopes and dreams and lives and families and it was probably just one thing that went wrong for them.”

Bishop Parkes said he was running a social justice competition.

“It is an essay writing competition for primary, middle, secondary and tertiary schooling.”