NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Entering her new home for the time was a long time coming for Mary White.

The Army veteran and single mother overcame homelessness to purchase a new home through Habitat for Humanity.

“Overwhelmed. Excited. Just overall happy. It’s a big day,” White said.

White is an Army veteran who received a medical discharge after getting injured.

She then spent four years in the VA homeless program.

Now she’s finally back on her feet.

“I’m getting a glimpse of happiness. The end of the road almost. It’s been a long road getting here,” White said.

White earned her home by working with Habitat For Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco, and its Homes for Veterans program.

She put in hundreds of hours of what’s called sweat equity, working on homes, for an interest free mortgage.

“She’s realized the dream of homeownership. We couldn’t be more proud of her,” Sutton said.

Her son, 6-year-old Aspen, is already planning out his new room.

Now working for the VA as a social worker, White is excited to start their new life together, at home.

“The end goal was home ownership. So this is the dream come true,” White said.

Habitat also partnered with the Gramatica Family Foundation to help build the new home. They’re looking to work with more veteran families in the future.