HOKE COUNTY, N.C. -- Affordable housing built for Hoke County teachers has stayed nearly full since opening in 2013. 

The county developed the Echo Ridge Apartment Complex to help the district's recruitment efforts and school officials say it's making a difference. 

"The Echo Ridge teacher housing complex has really helped with teacher recruitment because a lot of our teachers come from up north: Pennsylvania, Ohio, places like that," said Jodie Bryant with Hoke County Schools. 

At $700 a month, rent at Echo Ridge is well below the average price in Hoke County. 

Hoke County teacher Audrey Suggs says when she was apartment shopping, other options in the area were close to $1,000 a month.

"I do know a lot of Fayetteville folks who want to join-in on something like this," Suggs said. "Let's see if we can get it happening!"