HOUSE YOU – PRIVACY POLICY

Last Updated: 29 September 2026

1. Introduction

House You (“we,” “our,” “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose and protect your personal information.

As a not-for-profit organisation focused on housing advocacy and Housing First campaigns, we handle your information with care and only use it to further our charitable purposes.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

  • Name, email address, phone number
  • Postal address and location information
  • Date of birth (where required for donations or legal compliance)
  • Demographic information (age, occupation, etc.)
  • Communication preferences
  • Content you submit (testimonials, comments, stories, photos)
  • Donation history and payment information
  • Petition signatures and campaign participation

How We Collect Information

We collect information through:

  • Website forms, petitions and email subscriptions
  • Donation platforms and payment processors
  • Event registrations and attendance records
  • Surveys and feedback forms
  • Social media interactions
  • Partner organisation referrals (with consent)
  • Phone calls and correspondence

Sensitive Information

We may collect sensitive information (such as information about housing status, health conditions, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status, or government benefits) only:

  • With your explicit consent
  • When reasonably necessary for our functions or activities
  • As permitted under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

  • Process donations and issue tax-deductible receipts
  • Send campaign updates, newsletters, and advocacy materials
  • Administer petition signatures and campaign participation
  • Organise and promote events and activities
  • Conduct research and policy analysis
  • Respond to enquiries and provide support
  • Comply with legal obligations
  • Improve our services, website and campaigns
  • Report to funding bodies (in de-identified form where possible)

4. Marketing Communications

We may send you direct marketing materials about:

  • Campaign activities and policy updates
  • Housing-related resources and information
  • Events and volunteer opportunities
  • Fundraising appeals and donation requests
  • Partner organisation activities (with your consent)

Opting Out

You can opt-out of marketing communications at any time by:

  • Clicking “unsubscribe” in any email
  • Contacting us at office@houseyou.org

We will action opt-out requests promptly and at no charge.

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information with:

Service Providers

  • Payment processors for donation handling
  • Email and communication platforms
  • Website hosting and maintenance providers
  • Analytics and survey tools
  • Professional advisers (lawyers, accountants, auditors)

Partner Organisations

  • Only with your explicit consent for joint campaigns
  • Other not-for-profit organisations working on housing advocacy

Government and Legal Requirements

  • Government agencies when required by law
  • For policy submissions (in de-identified form)
  • To comply with court orders or legal processes

We do not sell, rent or trade personal information to third parties for commercial purposes.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information including:

  • SSL encryption for data transmission
  • Secure servers with restricted access
  • Regular security updates and patches
  • Staff training on privacy and data protection
  • Secure disposal of information when no longer needed
  • Password protection and two-factor authentication where available

While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, no internet transmission is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted online.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to:

  • Fulfil the purposes for which it was collected
  • Comply with legal obligations (including tax and ACNC requirements)
  • Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

Generally:

  • Donation records: 7 years (for accounting and tax purposes)
  • Campaign participation: 3 years after last interaction
  • Marketing lists: Until you unsubscribe
  • Other records: 7 years after your last interaction with us

8. Your Rights

Under Australian privacy law, you have the right to:

Access

Request copies of personal information we hold about you (some exemptions may apply)

Correction

Request corrections to inaccurate, out-of-date, incomplete or misleading information

Deletion

Request deletion of your information (subject to legal requirements)

Anonymity

Deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym where lawful and practicable

Complaints

Lodge privacy complaints with us or the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

To exercise these rights, contact our Privacy Officer at office@houseyou.org

9. Overseas Disclosure

Some of our service providers may store or process information overseas, particularly:

  • Email services (United States)
  • Cloud storage providers (various locations)
  • Payment processors (as required for international donations)

Before disclosing information overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure recipients comply with privacy standards equivalent to the APPs, or obtain your consent.

10. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website uses cookies and analytics tools to:

  • Improve website functionality and user experience
  • Analyse website traffic and usage patterns
  • Remember your preferences
  • Deliver relevant content
  • Track campaign effectiveness

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

We use Google Analytics with IP anonymisation enabled to protect your privacy.

11. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 without parental or guardian consent. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately for deletion.

12. Notifiable Data Breaches

In the event of an eligible data breach that is likely to result in serious harm, we will notify affected individuals and the OAIC as required under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in:

  • Our practices
  • Technology
  • Legal requirements

Material changes will be communicated through:

  • Our website notice
  • Email notifications to active supporters
  • The updated date at the top of this policy

14. Contact Us

For privacy-related enquiries, complaints, or to exercise your rights:

Privacy Officer
House You Campaign
Email: office@houseyou.org
Website: houseyou.org

We aim to acknowledge receipt within 48 hours and resolve privacy matters within 30 days.

15. Complaints Process

If you have a privacy concern:

  1. Contact us first – We’ll investigate and respond within 30 days
  2. Internal review – If unsatisfied, request escalation to senior management
  3. External complaint – You may lodge a complaint with:

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Phone: 1300 363 992
Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au
Website: http://www.oaic.gov.au

16. Additional Information for Donors

Payment Security

  • We use secure, PCI-compliant payment processors
  • We don’t store credit card details on our servers
  • Regular donations are managed through secure third-party platforms

Donation Receipts

We provide receipts for all donations. House You is auspiced by the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA). Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

This Privacy Policy is provided in accessible formats upon request. Please contact us if you need this policy in an alternative format.