THE push for a homeless shelter in Tweed has shifted to a local focus after years of pressure on the state government to kick-start the project with funding.

Various community groups have been involved in the push with many calling on Tweed MP Geoff Provest to secure the shelter.

However, without a detailed plan for the location and running of the facility the funding was never made available.

This week Mayor Barry Longland said discussions within the Tweed Shire Housing and Homelessness Network had changed direction with the focus now on finding a local solution.

"We still need support from the state but we're looking more at what can be done locally," Councillor Longland said.

"It's beyond council's resources to purchase the facilities but that doesn't mean we can't do anything.

"There will be opportunities for council in kind and in cash support."

Cr Longland said for a long time there had been difficulties in coordinating the efforts of various community groups, despite them all having a similar goal.

He said the development of the network had gone a long way in bringing the discussion to the same table.

"It was always difficult to coordinate the different efforts so the network has been a big step in the right direction… focusing on a local level."

He said St Vincent de Paul was working hard to find a location for the facility.

Meanwhile the new Murwillumbah Community Centre at Knox Park is on track to be completed by October.

The drop-in type facilities will have meals and showers available.

"There's a hearty band of volunteers and they've waited so long to see this come to fruition so it's going to be wonderful to get it up and running," Cr Longland said.