Karinya House, a sanctuary for vulnerable mothers and their babies for almost 20 years, has moved into a new home. The ACT government funded the purpose-built complex to the tune of $4.45 million while a further $450,000 was raised by private donations and contributions from community groups.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town in Narrabundah, the future of Inanna, which offers crisis accommodation to women and children at risk of homelessness, is uncertain after its board and chief executive suddenly resigned.

While there have been assurances that there will be continuity at Inanna, it has to be asked how this will affect other services in Canberra, services which are already stretched to the limit.

According to a 2015 report from the ACT Council of Social Services, the ACT has the second highest rate of homelessness in Australia and women are particularly susceptible.

Domestic violence is a significant contributing factor to homelessness, with 55 per cent of women presenting to specialist services because of it, according to Homelessness Australia.

In many situations women are forced to flee their home out of fear for the personal safety of themselves and their children, and places such as Karinya House and Inanna are safe havens.

Staying in the family home is not an option for many women in domestic violence situations. There is still a risk to their and their children's safety as the perpetrator knows their location. And for many women the financial burden of maintaining mortgage or rental payments is impossible.

With calls to the Domestic Violence Crisis Service increasing by 50 per cent over the past five years, the question has to be asked, how many women remain in unsafe situations because there is nowhere to go?

While the new Karinya House will now accommodate 11 women and their babies instead of six, finance and business manager Jo Saccasan said at the end of every financial year there can be up to 100 women they are helping but cannot find a bed for.

Where are these women and their babies sleeping?

According to ACT Shelter, homelessness can be defined as those sleeping rough, those couch surfing or living in crisis accommodation, and those living in inadequate housing with no security of tenure.

With domestic violence destroying the sense of safety and belonging normally associated with the concept of "home", the choice to leave is a brave one for a woman to make for her family if these are the only options available for her.

In the lead-up to the ACT election it is crucial that candidates remember the most vulnerable among us. While Canberra has the reputation of being a city inhabited by well-educated, high-income-earning people, there is a hidden population that we must protect.