(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Bureau of Transportation is establishing a hardship fund to help victims of auto theft and people with low incomes retrieve towed and impounded vehicles.  Money for the fund comes from a five-dollar surcharge on tows collected as part of the city's towing contracts.  The impound must be within the City of Portland.  An application needs to be filed within five days of the tow and before the vehicle is retrieved.  The city will pay 300 dollars in towing and storage fees for people who qualify.  The money is paid to the towing company and not as a reimbursement to the vehicle owner.