Developer gives Habitat a $100 million promise

Atlanta businessman J. Ronald Terwilliger got rich building houses for others, and he plans to spread the wealth. He promised $100 million Thursday to Habitat for Humanity International.

“It’s the largest financial commitment from an individual in Habitat’s history,” said Duane Bates, the nonprofit’s director of public relations.

The gift will pass to Habitat at Terwilliger’s death. He is 68.

Terwilliger is committed to housing for working people. He has given gifts of $5 million each to two other nonprofits dealing with housing and served on Mayor Shirley Franklin’s Workforce Housing Task Force. He has been on Habitat International’s board since 2000, and is chairman.

“It’s frustrating to me that housing, which is one of the basic human needs and is important for families to have healthy and well-educated children, is down the list to what is worthy on the minds of some,” he said.

Bates said $70 million will fund micro-loans in Habitat’s overseas work, and $30 million will go to an endowment that will donate proceeds yearly to the nonprofit.

Terwilliger made his fortune with Trammell Crow Residential, building apartments and condos. He also owns the Atlanta Dream women’s pro basketball team.

He said his fortune has shrunk in the economy, but he believes it will be large enough to make good on his promise —- though he adds, “I hope to live another 20 years.”