WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Poor People’s Campaign hosted the largest forum of 2020 presidential candidates so far this year, happening one week before the first big Democratic debate in Florida.

Even front runner and former Vice President, Joe Biden, took part in the event with other Democratic candidates. It was his first time joining any event with other candidates since the race kicked off.

People at the forum said this was a rare occasion where each candidate was focused solely on just poverty. All the candidates, including the front runner, made a promise in unison.

“Bring people in poverty out of poverty,” said Biden. “Move them into a place where in fact they are able to compete, they get a fair shot, whether it’s housing, whether its education, whether it’s healthcare, whatever it is, it benefits the whole nation.”

Biden made a pledge to make poverty central to his campaign. Congressman Eric Swalwell and Senator Kamala Harris also made a commitment to a televised debate on poverty and systematic racism.

“Neighbor is about understanding,” said Harris, “And living in service of other understanding that we are all each other’s brothers and sisters."

According to the Poor People’s Campaign, all candidates answered similar questions about poverty. Biden, said the first thing he would do to fight poverty, is get rid of President Trump’s tax plan. Swalwell said he would focus on improving education and health care. 

“In America,” said Swalwell. “You should be seen, and if you’re seen you shouldn’t go broke.”

Harris said affordable housing is one of the biggest issues that is least talked about. She ties it to raising equal pay and minimum wage. 

“Well yeah, people are working,” said Harris. “They’re working two and three jobs and in our America, nobody should have to work more than one job to have a roof over their heads and food on the table.”

Hundreds of people from low income and homeless communities were at the forum from across the nation, including Keith McHenry, from California. 

“The reality is, that the fact that politicians are here to answer questions have made this a national issue,” said McHenry.

McHenry said unlike other election years, he hopes this forum will bring to light the problem and a solution to poverty in 2020. 

“The notion with dealing with poverty in America is not only systemic it is incredibly debilitating,” said Biden. “It’s the one thing in this county that can bring this country down and it gets worse and worse and worse.”

There were nine candidates who showed up to the forum, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Andrew Yang.