Privacy Policy

Introduction

Dakota County Community Development Agency ("CDA," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or apply for our housing programs.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site or use our services.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Apply for housing assistance programs
• Register for homebuyer education classes
• Contact us with inquiries or feedback
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Submit maintenance requests
• Complete forms on our website

This information may include:

• Name, address, phone number, and email address
• Social Security numbers (for program eligibility verification)
• Date of birth and family composition
• Income and employment information
• Bank and financial information
• Citizenship or immigration status
• Disability status (if requesting accommodations)

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information, including:

• IP address and browser type
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on our site
• Referring website addresses

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Process applications for housing programs
• Determine eligibility for assistance
• Manage tenant accounts and lease agreements
• Process rent payments and Housing Assistance Payments
• Respond to your inquiries and requests
• Send important notices about your tenancy or program participation
• Comply with federal, state, and local regulations
• Improve our website and services
• Send newsletters and updates (with your consent)

Information Sharing

We may share your information with:

• Government Agencies: HUD, state housing agencies, and other regulatory bodies as required by law
• Verification Sources: Employers, landlords, and financial institutions to verify eligibility
• Service Providers: Third parties who assist with our operations (payment processing, maintenance, etc.)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption of sensitive data
• Secure access controls and authentication
• Regular security assessments
• Employee training on data protection
• Physical security of records and files

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide services you have requested
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

HUD regulations require us to retain certain program records for a minimum of three years after program participation ends.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal information we hold
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your information (subject to legal requirements)
• Opt-out of marketing communications
• File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.

Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us:

• Remember your preferences
• Understand how you use our website
• Improve our services

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some website functionality.

Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:

Dakota County CDA
1228 Town Centre Drive
Eagan, MN 55123

Phone: 651-675-4400
Email: privacy@dakotacda.org