PRIVACY POLICY

Last Updated: 10.23.2025

Introduction

California Housing Collective ("we," "us," "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information when you use our website, community platform, and services.

By using our website or services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us and information automatically collected when you use our services.

Information You Provide:

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number

  • Professional Information: Job title, company name, professional role (e.g., real estate agent, contractor), location/city in California

  • Account Information: Username, password, profile information

  • Communications: Messages you send us, responses to surveys, feedback, questions

  • Payment Information: If you purchase paid membership, payment information is processed by our third-party payment processor (we do not store credit card details on our servers)

Information Automatically Collected:

  • Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on site, links clicked, referring website

  • Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers

  • Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and similar technologies to improve user experience and analyze site traffic (see "Cookies" section below)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

✓ To provide our services: Deliver resources, access to community, newsletters, and membership benefits
✓ To communicate with you: Send newsletters, updates, event invitations, and respond to inquiries
✓ To improve our services: Analyze usage patterns, understand user preferences, enhance website functionality
✓ To process payments: Handle transactions for paid memberships (via third-party processors)
✓ To ensure security: Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents
✓ To comply with legal obligations: Respond to legal requests, enforce our terms, protect our rights
✓ For marketing purposes: Send information about our services, events, and offerings (you can opt out anytime)

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

With Your Consent:

We may share your information when you explicitly authorize us to do so (e.g., introducing you to another member).

With Service Providers:

We work with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as:

  • Email service providers (e.g., ConvertKit, Mailchimp, Squarespace Email)

  • Community platform providers (e.g., Circle)

  • Payment processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)

  • Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics)

  • Website hosting (e.g., Squarespace)

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

Within Our Community:

If you join our community platform, certain information (name, role, location, profile information) may be visible to other community members to facilitate networking and collaboration. You control what information you share in your profile.

For Legal Reasons:

We may disclose your information if required by law, legal process, or governmental request, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others.

Business Transfers:

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, sale, or other business transaction, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

4. Your Privacy Rights (California Residents)

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

✓ Right to Know: You can request to know what personal information we have collected about you, including categories, sources, purposes, and third parties we've shared it with
✓ Right to Delete: You can request deletion of your personal information (subject to certain exceptions)
✓ Right to Opt-Out: You have the right to opt out of the sale of your personal information (note: we do not sell your information)
✓ Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at:
Email: privacy@californiahousingcollective.com
Subject Line: "CCPA Privacy Rights Request"

We will respond to your request within 45 days.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us recognize you, remember your preferences, and analyze how you use our site.

Types of cookies we use:

Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly (e.g., login sessions)
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site (e.g., Google Analytics)
Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
Marketing Cookies: Track your activity to deliver relevant content and ads (if applicable)

Managing Cookies:

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our website.

To learn more about cookies and how to manage them, visit: www.allaboutcookies.org

Google Analytics Opt-Out:
To opt out of Google Analytics tracking, visit: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

  • Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after closure

  • Email Lists: Retained until you unsubscribe

  • Transaction Records: Retained as required for tax and accounting purposes (typically 7 years)

  • Analytics Data: Anonymized and aggregated data may be retained indefinitely

If you wish to delete your account or information, contact us at privacy@californiahousingcollective.com.

7. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Security Measures Include:

  • Encrypted connections (SSL/TLS)

  • Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant providers

  • Access controls and authentication

  • Regular security assessments

Your Responsibility:
Keep your password confidential and notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.

8. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services (e.g., YouTube, LinkedIn). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will delete it promptly.

If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us at privacy@californiahousingcollective.com.

10. International Users

Our services are designed for users in California and the United States. If you access our website from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from your country.

By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States.

11. Email Communications and Opt-Out

When you join our community or newsletter, you will receive periodic emails from us, including:

  • Weekly newsletters

  • Event invitations

  • Updates about our community and services

  • Promotional offers (occasionally)

How to Opt Out:
You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by:

  • Clicking the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any email

  • Emailing us at privacy@californiahousingcollective.com with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line

  • Updating your email preferences in your account settings

Note: Even if you opt out of marketing emails, we may still send you transactional emails related to your account, purchases, or membership (e.g., receipts, password resets, important service updates).

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors.

When we make changes:

  • We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page

  • For material changes, we will notify you via email or prominent notice on our website

  • Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

California Housing Collective
Email: privacy@californiahousingcollective.com
Website: californiahousingcollective.com

For CCPA Requests:
Email privacy@californiahousingcollective.com with "CCPA Privacy Rights Request" in the subject line.

We will respond to your inquiry within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 30-45 days.

14. Consent

By using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.