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.
New Mexico HUD Privacy Act Handbook: The New Mexico HUD Privacy Act Handbook is a comprehensive guide that outlines the privacy policies and procedures followed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in relation to the personal information of individuals residing in New Mexico. This handbook is designed to ensure compliance with the Privacy Act and to protect the privacy rights of individuals accessing HUD programs and services. The purpose of the New Mexico HUD Privacy Act Handbook is to provide detailed explanations and guidelines on how personal information is collected, used, stored, shared, and protected by HUD. It covers various types of personal data such as names, addresses, social security numbers, financial information, and other sensitive details. The handbook emphasizes the importance of maintaining the confidentiality and security of personal information throughout the lifecycle of HUD programs. Key topics covered in the New Mexico HUD Privacy Act Handbook include: 1. Introduction to the Privacy Act: This section provides an overview of the Privacy Act and its applicability to HUD programs in New Mexico. It explains the rights and responsibilities of both individuals providing their personal information and HUD staff who handle such data. 2. Collection and Use of Personal Information: This section explains how HUD collects personal information, its purpose, and the legal authority for such collection. It highlights the necessity of obtaining informed consent from individuals and the limited circumstances under which information can be collected without consent. 3. Maintenance and Storage of Personal Information: This section provides guidelines on how HUD securely stores personal information, including the physical, electronic, and administrative safeguards in place to protect against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. 4. Sharing of Personal Information: This section outlines the circumstances under which HUD may share personal information with other agencies or entities, as well as the legal basis for such sharing. It also covers the procedures and safeguards in place to ensure that shared information is protected and used appropriately. 5. Access and Amendment of Personal Information: This section explains how individuals can access and review their personal information held by HUD. It also outlines the process for requesting corrections or amendments to inaccurate or incomplete data. Different types of New Mexico HUD Privacy Act Handbook with Explanation may include specific versions tailored for different HUD programs, such as housing assistance, rental assistance, or community development grants. Each variant may provide additional guidelines and considerations specific to the program it relates to, along with relevant contact information for program administrators or privacy officers. Overall, the New Mexico HUD Privacy Act Handbook serves as a vital reference for individuals, HUD employees, and partner organizations involved in delivering housing and urban development services in the state. By familiarizing themselves with the handbook's contents and keywords such as privacy, personal information, collection, use, storage, sharing, access, and amendment, stakeholders can ensure compliance with privacy regulations while upholding the rights and trust of New Mexico residents.
