Salem Mayor’s home sent to foreclosure for failure to pay bills

Outgoing Salem Mayor Chris Hoy has found himself in some financial hot water.

Marion County property records show Hoy has failed to pay nearly $8,000 in bills related to his primary residence and is in danger of losing his home to foreclosure. The documents show he hasn’t made a mortgage payment since April 2024. He lost his bid for re-election to Julie Hoy (no relation) in May.

Hoy bought the East Salem property in 2004 for $149,350. Zillow now estimates the property is worth nearly $400,000. When Hoy stopped making payments, he had a remaining balance of over $66,000 on his mortgage.

A former Clackamas County undersheriff, Hoy receives $12,045 per month from Oregon’s Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), according to The Oregonian/OregonLive’s PERS database. As a Tier 1 recipient, he earns a yearly benefit equal to 82% of his final salary when working. 

Records indicate Hoy tried to enroll in the Oregon Foreclosure Avoidance Program, a state government assistance program that helps those experiencing financial hardship avoid losing their home. 

However, Hoy never paid the $175 filing fee required to participate in the program.

The foreclosure sale is set to be held at 11 AM on March 4, 2025 at the Marion County Courthouse.