A lack of affordable, quality housing in Gainesville and Hall County and its effects on the area economy and residents’ quality of life are issues that must be addressed sooner than later, according to local business, government and nonprofit leaders. “Every bit that we invest as a community in affordable housing will then save us in decreased food subsidies, decreased health care expenses, increased community intellectual capital, increased workplace efficiency,” said Ann Nixon, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Hall County. “And let us not forget the intangible, but swiftly sought, increases in feeling good about ourselves, about our community and about our hope for a better tomorrow than what we see today.”