EXHIBIT 23.1


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in (1) Registration  Statement No.
33-308415  on Form S-3 related to the  Dividend  Reinvestment  and Common  Stock
Purchase Plan, (2) Registration Statement No. 333-6154 related to the 2000 Stock
Incentive Plan, (3) Shelf  Registration  Statement No. 33-32119 on Form S-4, (4)
Registration  Statement No.  333-69807 and 333-3124  related to the 1993 Amended
and Restated Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan, and (5) Shelf  Registration
Statement  No.  333-69675  on Form S-3, of our report  dated  February 10, 2003,
except for the  seventh  paragraph  of Note 19, as to which the date is February
28, 2003, and Note 20 as to which the date is February 4, 2004,  with respect to
the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of Omega
Healthcare  Investors,  Inc.  included in the  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated
February 4, 2004.

                                                   /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois
February 4, 2004