HUD gathers information on employees, individuals applying for HUD programs, business partners, contractors and clients. The Privacy Act of 1974 established controls over what personal information is collected by the federal government and how it is used.
The Act grants rights to United States citizens and legal permanent residents. Under the Privacy Act you:
" Have the right to see records about yourself; and
" Can correct a record that is inaccurate, irrelevant, untimely, or incomplete.
The Act mandates that the Government:
" Informs you why information is being collected and how it is going to be used;
" Assures that information is accurate, relevant, complete and up-to-date before disclosing it to others;
" Allows you to find out about disclosures of your records to other agencies or persons; and
" Provides you with the opportunity to correct inaccuracies in your records.
The Privacy Act applies only to records about individuals maintained by agencies in the executive branch of the government. It applies to these records only if they are kept in a "system of records." A "system of records" is a group of records from which the information was retrieved by an individual's name, social security number, date of birth or some other personal identifier.
The North Carolina HUD Privacy Act Handbook is a comprehensive guide that provides detailed information and explanation regarding the Privacy Act and its implications in the state of North Carolina. This handbook is specifically designed to assist individuals and organizations in understanding their rights and responsibilities concerning the collection, use, and sharing of personal information by HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) in compliance with the Privacy Act. The North Carolina HUD Privacy Act Handbook covers various key topics related to privacy, including but not limited to: 1. Purpose and Scope: This section explains the purpose and scope of the Privacy Act, ensuring that individuals know their privacy rights and the information collected by HUD. 2. Definitions: The handbook provides clear and concise definitions of essential terms surrounding the Privacy Act, ensuring a thorough understanding of the concepts and terminology. 3. Collection and Use of Information: This section delves into the ways in which HUD collects and uses personal information, highlighting the necessity and limitations regarding its collection, accuracy, and maintenance. 4. Privacy Protections and Safeguards: The handbook outlines the measures taken by HUD to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction, thus ensuring individual privacy is safeguarded. 5. Individual Rights: This segment details the rights individuals have in relation to their personal information collected by HUD and explains the steps they may take to access, correct, or amend it if necessary. 6. Disclosure and Sharing of Information: The handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the circumstances under which HUD is authorized to disclose personal information and the instances where sharing is permissible with external entities. 7. Penalties and Remedies: This section discusses the penalties associated with Privacy Act violations and the remedies available to individuals affected by unauthorized disclosure, misuse or breach of their personal information. It is important to note that there can be variations or editions of the North Carolina HUD Privacy Act Handbook, such as updated versions or supplementary guides tailored to specific sectors or programs within North Carolina. These may include handbooks specific to public housing programs, rental assistance programs, or fair housing initiatives, each focusing on the particular aspects and implications of the Privacy Act pertaining to those programs. In conclusion, the North Carolina HUD Privacy Act Handbook serves as an invaluable resource for North Carolina residents, organizations, and HUD program participants, providing a comprehensive understanding of the Privacy Act's provisions and guidelines. By following its principles, individuals and entities can ensure the responsible and compliant handling of personal information while maintaining privacy in the context of HUD programs and initiatives.
