Many low-income Latino families faced economic hardship from towing practices at five affordable housing complexes owned by a Latino-focused community development corporation in Portland’s Cully neighborhood, an investigation by the city’s ombudsman’s office found. The towing practices at Hacienda CDC’s properties may be in violation of state law, the ombudsman’s office concluded. A property management company paused tows at the properties in 2022 but resumed them in mid-2023 following complaints from residents that too many vehicles parked in the area without required permits. Tow truck companies subsequently removed 178 vehicles over roughly six months ending last December. Signs explaining parking and towing rules at the properties are only in English even though more than half of Hacienda’s clients report Spanish as their primary language. It’s unclear what outreach, if any, took place to warn residents before the increased towing enforcement resumed, and if that education was ...