If your home page is static page, you can use GenrateBlocks 1.5 which we just released 2 days ago.
With the query loop block, you should be able to make a layout like this.
I did a quick demo and you can use the exact structure I created here:
Query loop block: https://www.screencast.com/t/MF6yLnq8bkVB
Grid container: https://www.screencast.com/t/uSCARSgx
Give the 2 container blocks a min-height, for example 300px
.
If you have GenerateBlocks pro, you can add the hover effect directly within in the settings.
If not, custom CSS will be need.
Let me know when you finish up the settings, I can take a look then 🙂