Privacy Statement

Overview

In general, South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (hereinafter SC Housing) policies governing the collection and dissemination of Personally Identifiable Information via its website follow the same rules that would apply to an in-person visit to a government office and are governed by the same state and federal laws that cover such visits.

Purpose

The purpose of this statement is to inform users of this website with regard to the collection and use of Personally Identifiable Information. Nothing herein should be construed to, nor does it create, any new or different rights than those available under existing State and federal laws.

Publisher’s Rights

Although the website is intended for public use, SC Housing does not intend to give up any of its rights or anyone else's rights, to the information, materials, graphics, or logos appearing on the website. Materials published on the website are protected by copyright, trademarks, and other intellectual property laws. You may not modify, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit or distribute in any way any material from the website, including code and software. Requests for permission to reproduce or distribute materials found on the website should be sent to: Marketing Department, 300-C Outlet Pointe Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29210 or send email to renaye.long@schousing.com.

Personally Identifiable Information

Personally Identifiable Information or “PII” is information about a natural person that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. SC Housing considers any information that could reasonably be used to identify you as Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This may include, but is not limited to:

• your name
• your address
• your email address
• your social security number
• your password
• bank account information
• credit card information
• employment history, including disciplinary action(s)
• criminal history
• financial history
• license or identification number
• telephone number
• medical or disability information
• any combination of data, such as birth date, zip code and gender, that could be used to identify you
• any graphical or visual representation of you

When such information is required by SC Housing, it will be restricted to information necessary to fulfill a legitimate public purpose. If PII is requested on the website, or volunteered by the user, the Privacy Act of 1974 and other state and federal law may protect it. However, this information is a public record once you provide it, and may be subject to public inspection, distribution and copying if not protected by federal or state law pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Your choice to not provide any personal information will not impair your ability to browse this website and read or download any information provided on the website.

SC Housing does not create any individual profiles for the purpose of collecting information for commercial marketing, or otherwise shares, sells or disseminates PII volunteered to the Authority by the user. The Family Privacy Protection Act of 2002 prohibits persons or private entities from using any PII obtained from the SC Housing website for commercial solicitation purposes. A person who knowingly violates this prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties specified in S.C. Code §30-2-50.

Data Security and Quality

SC Housing is committed to data security and the data quality of PII that is either available from or collected by the website. SC Housing has taken precautions to protect PII from loss, misuse or alteration. Any third parties responsible for this information are committed to the same principles and are contractually required to follow the same policies and guidelines in protecting this information. Unless otherwise prohibited by state or federal law, individuals will be given the ability to access and correct PII maintained by SC Housing that may be in error.

Limiting Access to Personally Identifiable Information

SC Housing staff is limited to accessing PII to perform their assigned duties. SC Housing has notified and instructed its staff, in writing, of their responsibilities concerning the protection of personally identifiable information.

Use of Cookies

SC Housing's web applications may create "cookies" to hold user information through the use of Google Analytics. These "cookies" are then sent to, and stored on, the user's computer. This information is handled in the same way as PII obtained by SC Housing. No user information will be gathered through the use of "cookies" except that which is required to run the specific application(s) being accessed by the user. Specific information on how Google Analytics uses data collected through cookies can be accessed at www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners.

Use of Constituent Email Addresses

Email addresses obtained as a result of requests to SC Housing's website will not knowingly be sold or given to any organization for marketing purposes however email addresses are subject to the access and confidentiality provisions of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Email or other information requests sent to the SC Housing website may be maintained in order to: respond to the request, forward that request to the appropriate department or agency, communicate updates to internal procedures that may be of interest to citizens, or to provide web developers with valuable customer feedback to assist in improving the website.

Disclaimer of Liability

Although every attempt will be made to ensure that the information provided on this website is accurate, complete and timely, SC Housing cannot guarantee that the website will be error-free. As such, the use of this website is voluntary and is at your sole risk. You understand that you are solely responsible for any damage to your computer system or loss of data that results from any material and/or data downloaded from or otherwise provided through the website.

Nondiscrimination Policy

SC Housing does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap in admission to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities. Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies should be made to the Director of Human Resources, 300-C Outlet Pointe Boulevard, Columbia, South Carolina 29210 (803.896.9004).

Laws

This privacy statement has been made in and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of South Carolina. By using the website, you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of South Carolina in all disputes arising out of or relating to this statement on SC Housing’s website. For questions or comments about SC Housing’s website, please notify the support staff at itc@schousing.com.