Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 26, 2026

UNITY HOUSING ALLIANCE - PRIVACY POLICY

1. INTRODUCTION & COMMITMENT

Unity Housing Alliance ("Company," "we," "us," "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains:

• What information we collect
• How we use your information
• How we protect your information
• Your rights regarding your data
• How to contact us about privacy

By using www.unityhousingalliance.org ("Website"), you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you don't agree, please don't use the Website.

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

A. Information You Provide Directly:

• Name, email address, phone number
• Mailing address
• Demographic information (age, family size, income)
• Housing application details
• Volunteer or employment information
• Payment/donation information
• Communications and messages
• Case management notes and documents
• Any other information you submit via forms, applications, or contact

B. Information Collected Automatically:

• IP address and location data
• Browser type and operating system
• Website pages visited and time spent
• Links clicked
• Referring/exit pages
• Cookie data
• Device identifiers
• Usage analytics and patterns

C. Third-Party Information:

• Information from partner organizations
• Information from case managers or social services
• Information from housing programs
• Information from background checks (if applicable)
• Information from public records (if applicable)

3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We use your information to:

A. Service Delivery:

• Process housing applications
• Provide case management services
• Connect you with resources and services
• Administer volunteer programs
• Process donations and payments
• Communicate about services

B. Communications:

• Send service updates and announcements
• Respond to your inquiries
• Send newsletters (if opted in)
• Provide program information
• Emergency notifications

C. Legal & Compliance:

• Comply with laws and regulations
• Prevent fraud and illegal activity
• Enforce our Terms & Conditions
• Protect rights and safety
• Respond to legal requests
• Maintain records for compliance

D. Improvement & Analytics:

• Improve Website functionality
• Analyze usage patterns
• Develop new services
• Understand user needs
• Track program effectiveness
• Research and evaluation

E. Marketing & Fundraising:

• Share success stories (anonymized, with consent)
• Seek donations
• Promote programs
• Send marketing communications (if opted in)
• Create impact reports

4. INFORMATION SHARING

We share information with:

A. Service Partners:

• Case managers and social workers
• Housing providers
• Veteran coordinators
• Domestic violence advocates
• Mental health providers
• Other nonprofits and community organizations

B. Legal Requirements:

• Law enforcement (when legally required)
• Government agencies
• Court orders or subpoenas
• Child protective services (abuse reports)
• As required by law

C. Payment Processors:

• Credit card processors for donations
• Payment gateways
• Banks and financial institutions

D. Data Analytics:

• Website hosting providers
• Analytics platforms
• Email service providers
• Communication platforms

We DO NOT share with:

• Marketing companies for their purposes
• Data brokers
• Advertisers
• Any third parties without legal basis or consent
• Anyone without clear data protection agreements

5. DATA PROTECTION & SECURITY

A. Security Measures:

• Encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS)
• Secure password requirements
• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security audits
• Firewalls and intrusion detection
• Employee training on data security
• Physical security of data

B. Limitations:

• No security is 100% guaranteed
• Hackers and breaches are possible
• You assume risk of data transmission
• Third-party services may have their own risks
• We're not liable for unauthorized access

C. Data Retention:

• We retain data only as long as necessary
• Housing data: 3-5 years (per legal requirements)
• Application data: 1-2 years
• Communication data: 1 year
• You may request deletion (subject to legal holds)
• Backup copies may persist beyond deletion

6. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

You have the right to:

A. Access & Portability

• Request copy of your personal data
• Receive data in portable format
• Know what data we collect about you
• Request data export within 30 days

B. Correction & Amendment

• Correct inaccurate information
• Update outdated information
• Request amendment of incomplete data
• Submit corrections within 30 days

C. Deletion ("Right to Be Forgotten")

• Request deletion of personal data
• Permanent removal of information
• Exceptions for legal holds or business needs
• Deletion within 30-60 days (where applicable)

D. Opt-Out

• Unsubscribe from marketing emails
• Opt out of analytics tracking
• Decline optional communications
• Manage cookie preferences

E. Data Processing Objection

• Object to specific data uses
• Request limitation of processing
• Restrict data handling
• Refuse automated decision-making

F. Non-Discrimination

• Cannot be denied services for privacy choices
• No retaliation for exercising privacy rights
• No price differences for privacy preferences

7. CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS (CCPA)

If you're a California resident, you have additional rights:

A. Right to Know:

• Categories of personal information collected
• Purposes of collection
• Sources of information
• Categories shared with third parties

B. Right to Delete:

• Request deletion of personal data
• Exceptions for required retention
• Company responds within 45 days

C. Right to Opt-Out:

• Opt out of sale/sharing of personal data
• Opt out of targeted advertising
• Opt out of analytics

D. Right to Limit Use:

• Limit use of sensitive personal information
• Request limited processing

E. Do Not Track:

• You can enable "Do Not Track" in browser
• We honor DNT signals where feasible
• Third parties may not honor DNT

8. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY (COPPA)

A. Age Restriction:

• Website is intended for 18+ only
• We don't knowingly collect data from children under 13
• Parents may request deletion of child's data
• Report child data collection: join@unityhousingalliance.org

B. If Child Data Is Collected:

• Parental consent required for children under 13
• Limited collection and use
• Enhanced security protections
• Right to deletion at parent's request

C. Teens (13-18):

• Limited data collection
• Parental transparency
• Heightened privacy protections
• Ability to request deletion

9. COOKIES & TRACKING TECHNOLOGY

A. Cookies We Use:

• Essential cookies (site function)
• Analytics cookies (usage tracking)
• Marketing cookies (if opted in)
• Session cookies (temporary)
• Persistent cookies (long-term)

B. Cookie Management:

• Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies
• Disabling cookies may limit Website functionality
• Clear cookies in browser settings
• Use cookie management tools

C. Tracking Technologies:

• Pixels and beacons
• Web analytics (Google Analytics)
• Advertising pixels (if applicable)
• Social media tracking

D. Opt-Out:

• Use browser privacy settings
• Use "Do Not Track" feature
• Opt out through privacy preferences
• Clear cookies and browsing history

10. THIRD-PARTY LINKS & SERVICES

A. External Websites:

• Website contains links to third-party sites
• We don't control external sites
• We're not responsible for third-party privacy
• Third-party sites have their own privacy policies
• Read third-party privacy policies

B. Social Media Integration:

• Links to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
• Social platforms collect their own data
• We don't control social media data
• Social platforms have their own policies

C. Payment Processors:

• Third-party payment companies handle donations
• Payment data shared with processors
• Processors have their own privacy policies
• We don't store credit card data

11. DATA BREACHES & INCIDENTS

A. Notification:

• If breach occurs, we notify affected users
• Notification within 60 days of discovery
• Notice includes what data was breached
• Notice includes steps to protect yourself
• Notification via email or mail

B. Mitigation:

• We investigate breaches promptly
• Implement remediation measures
• Enhance security to prevent future breaches
• Cooperate with law enforcement if needed

C. Your Responsibility:

• Monitor accounts for suspicious activity
• Change passwords if compromised
• Report unauthorized access immediately
• Contact join@unityhousingalliance.org

12. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS

A. Data Location:

• Data stored primarily in United States
• May be transferred to other countries
• International transfers may have different protections
• You consent to international transfers by using Website

B. GDPR (for European Users):

• We comply with GDPR requirements
• Legal basis for processing (consent, contract, legal obligation)
• Data Protection Officer available
• Standard Contractual Clauses for transfers

13. CONTACT & DATA REQUESTS

To exercise your privacy rights:

Email: join@unityhousingalliance.org

Mailing Address:
Unity Housing Alliance
Cincinnati, Ohio

Phone: (513) 341-5595

What to Include:

• Your name and contact information
• Description of your request
• Specific data you're requesting
• Proof of identity (if required)

Response Time: 30-45 days

14. MODIFICATIONS TO PRIVACY POLICY

Company may modify this Privacy Policy anytime:

• Changes posted on Website
• Material changes: notice provided
• Your continued use means acceptance
• Old versions available upon request
• Effective date of changes noted

15. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

A. Accessibility:

• Text-only version available
• Large print available
• Easy-to-understand language
• Accessible format upon request

B. Complaints:

• File complaint with Company: join@unityhousingalliance.org
• File complaint with state attorney general
• File complaint with FTC (Federal Trade Commission)
• File complaint with state privacy authority

C. Retention Schedule:

Data Type	Retention Period
Housing applications	3-5 years
Case management notes	3-5 years
Payment records	7 years (tax/legal)
Communications	1-2 years
Website analytics	12-24 months
Backup data	30-90 days
Marketing list data	Until opt-out

D. Sensitive Information:

• Health information: secure storage, limited access
• Financial information: encrypted, PCI compliant
• Background check results: restricted access
• Domestic violence history: heightened protection