There are laws to protect your rights to information and privacy under the Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Section 15.1611 through 15.1692).
What is the purpose and intended use of the data being collected?
The information collected about you is classified under Minnesota Law as: (1) Public – anyone can see the information; (2) Private – only you and those authorized by law or by you can see the information; or (3) Confidential – only those authorized by law can see the information. The “private’ classification applies to most of the information we collect about you. The purposes this information are for one or more of the following reasons:
- To help the HRA determine whether you are eligible to participate or to continue to participate in the HRA's housing program.
- To enable the HRA to establish the level of rent you must pay in accordance with Federal law.
- To enable the HRA to comply with legal requirements governing its and other agencies’ legislative mandates.
What are your rights when supplying the data?
Collection of this information is authorized by the Federal Housing Act of 1937, as amended, and by the Minnesota Housing and Redevelopment Authority Act. M.S. 462.11, et.seq. While you have the right to refuse to supply the information requested, the HRA may not be able to provide you with housing assistance if you do. If you feel that certain information, we request is an unwarranted invasion of your privacy, contact the Executive Director, Project Manager, or the Housing Assistance Coordinator.
Who has access to the private information we collect about you?
Depending upon the housing program and as authorized by state, local, or Federal law, the information we maintain may be shared with:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Federal government agencies or departments as governed by federal law or contract
- HRA employees, contractors and HRA selected volunteer agencies serving you or your dwelling unit
- Health care and human service agencies under contract with the HRA
- Police Department, Fire Department and/or Emergency personnel, when an emergency situation or investigation requires the sharing of information
- Federal, state, local, and/or contracted auditors
- Other state and federal agencies as may be required by law
Who has access to the confidential information we collect about you?
Information collected as part of the HRA’s investigation in preparation for actual or potential litigation involving you is confidential information when it is contained in correspondence between the HRA and its attorney. Only the HRA, its attorney and those persons authorized by local, state, or Federal law may have access to the information. However, you do have the right to know if the information about you has been classified as confidential.
What information do you have access to?
You or household representative may request to be shown information about yourself that is maintained by the HRA that is classified as private. There is no cost for this service, but there may be a copy charge for copies you request to be made. According to Minnesota law, after you have been shown private information about yourself and have been informed of its meaning, the data need not be shown to you for six (6) months thereafter, unless a dispute or legal action concerning your privacy rights is pending or additional data about you has been collected.
How can you contest the accuracy or completeness of information in your file?
Write to the HRA describing the nature of your disagreement. Send the information to the address on front of this form. We will act on your letter within thirty days in accordance with the Minnesota Government Practices Act
Warning!
This is important housing information. If you do not understand it have someone translate it for you now.
Title 18, Section 1001 of the United States code states that a person is guilty of a felony for knowingly making false or fraudulent statements to any department or agency of the United States. Penalty could be: fines or imprisonment.
