City officials in Los Angeles are working to reclaim the world-famous 2-mile boardwalk in Venice Beach that has been commandeered by hundreds of homeless people, but efforts appear to be doomed as thousands more are living on streets within walking distance.

As the boardwalk is cleared of trash, hazardous waste, and tents, the homeless are simply moving their living quarters onto the sand, across the street, or elsewhere in this 3-square mile community of prime real estate, said Ira Koslow, the president of the Venice Neighborhood Council’s Board of Directors.