This Internet Privacy Policy Statement discloses the privacy practices of the Virginia Housing Development Authority's (VHDA) Web Sites, www.vhda.com and www.vhda.org.
Information Collection and Use
VHDA is the sole owner of the information collected on this site. We will not sell, share, or rent this information to others in ways different from what is disclosed in this statement. VHDA collects information from our users at several different points on our website. VHDA does not collect any personally identifiable information without the knowledge and consent of the user.
Registration
In order to use some elements of the website, a user must first complete
the registration form. During registration a user is required to give
their contact information (such as name and email address). This information
is used to contact the user about the services on our site for which
they have expressed interest. The user may be asked to provide demographic
information (such as income level and gender), and unique identifiers
(such as social security number).
Cookies
Cookies are automatically generated upon access to our sites. A cookie
is a piece of data stored on the user's hard drive containing information
about the user. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally
identifiable information while on our site. Once the user closes their
browser, the cookie simply terminates. For instance, by setting a cookie
for our site, the user would not have to log in a password more than
once, thereby saving time while on our site. If a user rejects the cookie,
they may still use our site. The only drawback to this is that the user
will be limited in some areas of our site. For example, the user will
not be able to use any of our online applications as we use cookies
within our security access programs. Cookies may also enable us to track
and target the interests of our users to enhance the experience while
using our site.
Some of our business partners may use cookies in connection to services offered as links from our site. However, we have no access to or control over these cookies.
Log
Files
When our sites are accessed the only information automatically collected
are IP addresses to analyze trends, administer the site, track user's
movement, and gather broad demographic information only for aggregate
use. IP addresses are not linked to personally identifiable information.
Sharing
We may share aggregated demographic information with our partners and
other stakeholder groups. This is not linked to any personal information
that can identify any individual person.
We use outside companies to provide certain services such as the online
access to loan information. These companies do not retain, share, store
or use personally identifiable information for any secondary purposes.
We partner with another party to provide specific services. When the
user signs up for these services, we will share names, or other contact
information that is necessary for the third party to provide these services.
These third parties are not allowed to use personally identifiable information
except for the purpose of providing these services.
Links
This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that VHDA
is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We
encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site to read the
privacy statements of each and every web site that collects personally
identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information
collected by the VHDA websites.
Newsletter
If a user wishes to subscribe to one of our newsletters, we ask for
contact information such as name and email address and store such information
on our servers.
Surveys
From time-to-time our site requests information from users via surveys.
Participation in these surveys is completely voluntary and the user
therefore has a choice whether or not to disclose this information.
Information requested may include contact information (such as name
and shipping address), and demographic information (such as zip code,
age level). Contact information will be used to notify the participants
of survey results. Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring
or improving the use and satisfaction of this site and to provide statistical
data to our organization and other stakeholders.
Security
When our website asks users to enter sensitive information (such as
credit card number and/or social security number), that information
is encrypted and is protected with the industry standard technology:
secure socket layers (SSL). While on a secure page, such as our order
form, the lock icon on the bottom of Web browsers such as Netscape Navigator
and Microsoft Internet Explorer becomes locked, as opposed to un-locked,
or open, when you are just surfing'. To learn more about SSL, follow
this link http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q257/5/91.ASP.
All
of our users' has restricted access within our offices. Only employees
who need the information to perform a specific job are granted access
to personally identifiable information. VHDA employees are apprised
of our security and privacy practices. Finally, the servers that we
store personally identifiable information on are kept in a secure environment
that requires electronic access.
If you have any questions about the security at our web site, you can
send an email to comm@vhda.com.
Supplementation
of Information
In order for this website to properly fulfill its obligation to our
stakeholders, it is necessary for us to supplement the information we
receive with information from 3rd party sources.
In order for this website to enhance its ability to tailor the site
to an individual's preference, we combine information about the use
habits of users with similar information from our partners to create
a personalized user profile.
Welcome
Communications
We may send new registered users a welcoming email to verify password
and username. Established registered users will occasionally receive
information on service updates and other information pertinent to doing
business with VHDA.
Site
and Service Updates
We also send the user site and service announcement updates. Registered
users are not able to un-subscribe from service announcements, which
contain important information about the service. We communicate with
the user to provide requested services and in regards to issues relating
to VHDA services via email or phone.
Accessing
and Updating Personal Information
If a user's personally identifiable information is collected, users
may access, correct, update or remove that user's personal data provided
to us. This can be done by emailing (comm@vhda.com) or calling our office.
Some of our online applications allow users to modify personal information
online. If you have questions about whether you
have access to this information please email comm@vhda.com.
Choice/Opt-out
Our users may be given the opportunity to opt-out' of having their information
used for purposes not directly related to our site at the point where
we ask for the information.
Users who no longer wish to receive our newsletter or other materials
may opt-out of receiving these communications by emailing us at comm@vhda.com.
Notification
of Changes
If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes
on our privacy policy page so our users may remain aware of what information
we collect, how we use it, and under circumstances, if any, we disclose
it. If at any point we decide to use personally identifiable information
in a manner different from that stated at the time it was collected,
we will notify users by way of an email. Users will have a choice as
to whether or not we use their information in this different manner.