The Heartbreaking Reality Of Venice's Homeless Crisis (Photos)

VENICE, CA — As more than 200 people move off Venice Beach and into shelters, life along the iconic boardwalk has slowly started shifting. Summer is here and the vendors and artists are returning, businesses are back. The tourists are visiting again.

The first part of the Venice Beach Encampments to Homes program is now over. But next to the beautiful beach exists a space where people stand on edge, measuring what the future might look like since the pandemic struck more than a year ago.

For months, tents lined Ocean Front Walk and the beach, a community grew as the pandemic pushed even more people on the streets and into poverty.

The rising number of homeless encampments, fires and attacks at Venice Beach prompted a political turf war among Los Angeles leaders and left residents demanding help. Then, the help came. As of Aug. 5, at least 211 people have left and moved into sheltered housing.

It's not the end but it's the start.

See photos below highlighting the delicate moments before the transition and the heartbreaking reality of Venice's homeless crisis — a humanitarian crisis.

People ride their bikes past a homeless encampment set up along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders.

A homeless woman who goes by Ma Shanti stands next to her cart adorned with a sign that reads "Home Sweat Home" while waiting in line for a free meal in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders.

Jeremy Minney, a 43-year-old homeless man, sorts through his belongings in a homeless encampment set up along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders.

People play basketball as a homeless man sleeps near the court in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021.

Scott See, 53, passes time in his tent at a homeless encampment set up along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders.

Yahto Bank and his girlfriend, Nas, a couple living in an homeless encampment set up along the Venice Beach boardwalk, embrace each other while waiting to pick up free meals in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021.

A homeless man goes through his belongings outside his tent pitched on the beach in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders.

A homeless person's mattress and belongings sit on the beach in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders.

SEE MORE:

• Kundalini Yoga Leader In Venice Dies
• Do You Have The Winning Lottery Ticket Bought On The Westside?
• Sewage Spill: Water Use Warning Issued For Los Angeles Beaches