First of all these coastal villages sit on a geologic moving target and many face erosion problems that are natural. However the reason they are located where they are is they are strategically located for transportation and hunting /gathering.

Here is an idea: Dredge up material from nearby gravel deposits and start building higher ground on the inside of the barrier beach. Slowly relocate the front street homes and businesses to the higher ground. Use the new vacant space along the front side of the beach for erosion barriers.