If left unresolved, the tightness of mortgage credit would result in a much lower percentage of homeowners because most potential new homebuyers would likely be Hispanic or nonwhite – groups with lower income, less wealth and lower credit scores, according to a new study by the Urban Institute. Author Laurie Goodman, co-director of UI’s Housing Finance Policy Center, noted the very tight mortgage credit situation that has developed since the mortgage crisis, which she attributed to mortgage lenders becoming more cautious than ever in their lending.