Also, while many homeowners sit on records amounts of home equity, they aren’t drawing from it much yet. A total of 307,180 home equity lines of credit were originated on residential properties in the fourth quarter of 2019, down 5.5% from a year earlier.

The signature look of stark, white, impeccably clean minimalist design may face declining appeal in home decor. Instead, comfort and usability will likely guide home design going forward, design experts predict in a new article at realtor.com®.

The era of sheltering in place during the COVID-19 outbreak has turned homes into security blankets, where comfort reigns, they say.

“Austere polished concrete floors, stone walls, all-white color palettes, and industrial finishes can be found in homes nationwide,” realtor.com® notes in its article. “Today, that vibe feels detached from the world that we’re living in, where a safe, comfortable space to hunker down is the true luxury.”

Designer Sheila Bridges says a trend toward “more is more” design likely will take root. “I believe that the trend has already begun to swung back toward maximalism; perhaps, ultimately, we land somewhere in between,” Bridges told realtor.com®.

Trends like wallpaper have already been re-emerging in recent years. Designers also recommend bringing out treasures from past travels and memories to display. Plush blankets and throws—always a favorite of home stagers—likely will be spotlighted in a bigger way going forward as they’re draped over furnishings. Further, colorful pillows and geometric patterned rugs can help liven up a space

“You can work wonders with lighting,” Susan Solliday, president of the Arizona North chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers, told realtor.com®. “Think about a fabulous hotel you have stayed in—or for that matter, an image of one. They are not cluttered with things, but they do have the right lighting. The amount and type of lighting directly affects your concentration, appetite, and mood. Lighting also creates depth, shadow, and accentuates the important.”

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a similar aesthetic shift became apparent, designers note. “People wanted to be at home with their loved ones, and it became more important for designers and homeowners to create homes that felt safe, secure, warm, and livable,” Bridges says. “Home offices or live/work/play spaces will continue to grow in importance.” Indeed, designers predict a wave of formalized home offices to gain popularity as the transition to remote working from home continues to play out.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Wednesday that it will award $40 million to help nonprofit organizations address fair housing violations across the U.S. and combat housing discrimination. The National Association of REALTORS® was quick to commend HUD’s action.

“HUD is committed to supporting efforts to rid discrimination from our society,” HUD Secretary Ben Carson said in a statement. “The grants we are awarding will enable our fair housing partner organizations to combat unlawful policies and behavior and foster practices that ensure everyone has access to safe, affordable housing, free from discrimination.”

More than $1 million is being awarded to locations that are designated as underserved by the qualified opportunity zone program. That program aims to stimulate long-term investments in low-income communities through tax breaks.

“Given the economic circumstances many Americans may face in the coming weeks, NAR commends HUD and Secretary Carson for taking steps to quickly put money in the hands of nonprofit organizations defending those who could face the brunt of this economic disruption,” Vince Malta, NAR’s 2020 president, said in a statement. “Emerging from challenging times stronger and more resolved will require countless Americans to step up and do what they can to help those in need, and we thank HUD for taking swift, decisive action to help us on that path.”

The grants are designed to help those who believe they’ve been a victim of housing discrimination and to increase fair housing education. The grants are being awarded through HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program and Fair Housing Assistance Program. The funding will allow agencies to provide fair housing enforcement in the rental and sales markets, file fair housing complaints with HUD, and conduct investigations. The grants will also go to support education and outreach activities to educate the public, housing providers, and local governments about the rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.

Learn more about the available grants and view a breakdown of the amounts awarded to local organizations by state at HUD.gov.

Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac unveiled a payment deferral option for homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments, regardless of whether the reason is related to COVID-19. Homeowners could be eligible to defer two months of their mortgage payments until the end of their mortgage, depending on their circumstance.

The GSEs had intended to announce a payment deferral program later this year, but the agencies decided to roll out the program now due to the coronavirus outbreak. The payment deferral program is available to borrowers who have faced a short-term hardship that has caused them to miss one or two months of mortgage payments.

If borrowers resolve that hardship within those two months, they will be eligible to defer the two months of missed payments to the end of their loan, without having to modify their loan.

“This innovative relief solution addresses a unique hardship situation—homeowners who have resolved a short-term hardship,” Freddie Mac said in a statement about the new program. “It aims to serve those homeowners with a more affordable workout that’s between a repayment plan and a modification. This is a broad offering that is aligned with Fannie Mae … to assist more struggling homeowners.”

In recent days, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, also has announced forbearance options for up to 12 months and mortgage relief to those facing a hardship due to the coronavirus national emergency. The FHFA has also suspended all foreclosures and evictions for at least 60 days. The aid applies to homeowners who have a loan backed by Fannie or Freddie.