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EXHIBIT 23.1   CONSENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


The Board of Directors
Alternative Living Services, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements
(No. 333-32907) on Form S-8 (No. 333-37737) on Form S-3 (No. 333-38595) on Form
S-8 (No. 333-39705) on Form S-3 and (No. 333-45433) on Form S-3 of Alternative
Living Services, Inc. of our report dated February 17, 1998, relating to the
consolidated balance sheets of Alternative Living Services, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for
each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997, and all
related schedules, which report appears in the December 31, 1997, annual report
on Form 10-K of Alternative Living Services, Inc.

 
                            KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


Chicago, Illinois
March 26, 1998