Sales of the Big Issue in Cornwall have been hit hard by tough economic times.
Sales across the county have gone down from roughly 1,500 a week to 400-500 a week.
A Big Issue seller from Truro said that incidents of abuse have also gone up in recent years.
Nick Cuthbert, who sells the Big Issue outside the Marks and Spencer store on Lemon Quay, became homeless about seven years ago after his relationship broke down.
He lived in a tent at first and now has a caravan outside Truro where he lives with his dog Bryony.
He said: "I just want to make it clear to people what we are doing. We are not begging - this is a job.
"We are not given the Big Issues, we buy them and once we have bought them that is it - we can't take them back."
Big Issue sellers work at different pitches around Truro that are controlled by the homeless charity St Petroc's in conjunction with Cornwall Council.
The Big Issue has seen price rises up to £2.50 and Mr Cuthbert said that might have put off some buyers but said there had been an increase in quality.
Mr Cuthbert said over the past couple of years he has seen a more aggressive attitude from some shoppers towards him.
He said: "I've had two people screaming at me in the past week - telling me to get a job.
"We are working and we are not scum. I've been spat at and had things thrown at me. I had the Big Issue knocked out of my hand by a woman coming out of Marks and Spencer.
"They could speak to us and ask what we are doing rather than just judging us."
