EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated January 18, 2003 relating to the financial statements of Anworth Mortgage Asset Corporation which appears in Anworth Mortgage Asset Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Los Angeles, California

April 1, 2003