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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                      MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITIES, INC.
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of
Manufactured Home Communities, Inc. on Form S-8 (File No. 33-76846), the
registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-82902), the registration
statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-97288) and the registration statement on
Form S-3 (File No. 333-1710) of our report dated February 16, 1996, on our
audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement
schedules of Manufactured Home Communities, Inc. as of December 31, 1995, and
for each of the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, which report is
included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Chicago, Illinois
March 7, 1997