The housing projects are located in Maw Poe Kay and Mae Tari, both of which are within the KNU-controlled part of Hpa-an District. The project includes a total of 100 houses—50 houses at each of the two sites—and is scheduled to be completed by mid-June 2014.

The KNU housing project broke ground at the beginning of April and is being built by 80 individuals, including construction workers and KNLA soldiers.

Saw Moses, a KNU 7th Brigade economic committee member who also administers the 7th Brigade’s business enterprise (a company called “Moe Ko San Travel and Tour Co. Ltd. and Trading Company Co. Ltd.”), told Karen News that he expects the project to be finished by June.

Speaking to Karen News, Saw Moses said: “At first, we expected to finish the construction by the end of May. We ordered the construction materials and wood from the Thai side. The construction was delayed by road and communication problems and the beginning of the rain [season].”

According to sources from the KNU’s 7th Brigade economic committee, the Karen State government formed a project committee; granted a total of 500 million Kyats (USD $517,063) for the housing project; and designated the 7th Brigade’s Moe Ko San company as the lead developer.

Colonel Saw Paw Doh, a member of KNU’s 7th Brigade economic committee, spoke to Karen News about the housing project and settlement process.

“For time being, we haven’t come up with a settlement process yet. The committee will call a meeting after the construction is completed and then make sure there is a plan for the settlement process.”

Colonel Saw Paw Doh said that the housing project is intended to offer housing for families of disabled KNLA soldiers and IDP’s who are deemed the most needy in the area.

According to KNU 7th Brigade officials, the project’s houses are built with wood, have tin roofs, and are 200 feet by 100 feet in size.