A Michigan-based real estate investment trust has bought a large manufactured housing portfolio, which includes 11 Connecticut communities, for $343.6 million.

Sun Communities Inc. specializes in owning and operating manufactured housing and RV communities. The portfolio purchase is being completed through a merger with Jensen’s Inc., paid through a combination of issuing common stock to Jensen’s shareholders and a cash payment.

The total portfolio includes 31 communities spread over eight states and contains 5,230 developed sites and over 460 additional expansion sites available for development. The 77 percent age-restricted portfolio was approximately 92.5 percent occupied as of June 30.

Sun Communities plans to spend $8 million on buying expansion land and adjacent parcels near some or all of the 31 communities involved in the deal for future development.

“This acquisition is a great opportunity to further grow our manufactured housing portfolio with high-quality communities that match our investment criteria,” Gary A. Shiffman, Sun Communities chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “We are very excited to add the owners of Jensen’s as shareholders due to their belief in our ability to create ongoing value.”