<PAGE>   1

Exhibit 24

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     NHP REALTY FUND I LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS

         THAT I, the undersigned member of the Board of Directors of National
Corporation for Housing Partnerships, hereby make, constitute and appoint Troy
D. Butts, Chief Financial Officer of NCHP, my attorney-in-fact, with full power
of substitution, in my name, place and stead to execute and sign my name upon
and documents, paper releases, consents and the like, including federal and
state securities registration statements and amendments and Form 10-K annual
reports and other post-sale and periodic reports pertaining to NHP Realty Fund
I Limited Partnership as may be appropriate.

         IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal on the date
set forth below.

Date:    3-30-99                                    /s/  Thomas W. Toomey
     -----------                                   ---------------------
                                                   SIGNATURE

State of Colorado

City of Denver
              ----------

Before me,            , on this day personally appeared Thomas W. Toomey known
          ------------                                  ----------------
to me to be the person whose name is subscribed in the foregoing instrument,
and who, after being duly sworn, stated that the content of said instrument is
to the best of his knowledge and belief true and correct, and who acknowledged
that he executed same for the purposes therein expressed.

Given under my hand and official seal at            this          day of
                                         -----------    ----------
         1998.
---------


 /s/
-------------
Notary Public

My Commission Expires: -
                      ------------

<PAGE>   2


                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     NHP REALTY FUND I LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS

         THAT I, the undersigned member of the Board of Directors of National
Corporation for Housing Partnerships, hereby make, constitute and appoint Troy
D. Butts, Chief Financial Officer of NCHP, my attorney-in-fact, with full power
of substitution, in my name, place and stead to execute and sign my name upon
and documents, paper releases, consents and the like, including federal and
state securities registration statements and amendments and Form 10-K annual
reports and other post-sale and periodic reports pertaining to NHP Realty Fund
I Limited Partnership as may be appropriate.

         IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal on the date
set forth below.

Date:    3-30-99                                   /s/  Susan R. Baron
     -----------                                  --------------------
                                                  SIGNATURE

State of District of Columbia

County of
         ------------------

Before me,                , on this day personally appeared Susan R. Baron
          ----------------                                  --------------
known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed in the foregoing
instrument,and who, after being duly sworn, stated that the content of said
instrument is to the best of his knowledge and belief true and correct, and who
acknowledged that he executed same for the purposes therein expressed.

Given under my hand and official seal at                 this          day of
                                         ----------------    ----------
         1998.
---------


/s/
-------------
Notary Public

My Commission Expires:
                      ------------

<PAGE>   3




                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     NHP REALTY FUND I LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS

         THAT I, the undersigned member of the Board of Directors of National
Corporation for Housing Partnerships, hereby make, constitute and appoint Troy
D. Butts, Chief Financial Officer of NCHP, my attorney-in-fact, with full power
of substitution, in my name, place and stead to execute and sign my name upon
and documents, paper releases, consents and the like, including federal and
state securities registration statements and amendments and Form 10-K annual
reports and other post-sale and periodic reports pertaining to NHP Realty Fund
I Limited Partnership as may be appropriate.

         IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal on the date
set forth below.

Date:    3-30-99                                   /s/  Joel F. Bonder
     -----------                                  --------------------
                                                  SIGNATURE

State of District of Columbia

County of
          -----------------

Before me,                , on this day personally appeared Joel F. Bonder
          ----------------                                  --------------
known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed in the foregoing
instrument, and who, after being duly sworn, stated that the content of said
instrument is to the best of his knowledge and belief true and correct, and who
acknowledged that he executed same for the purposes therein expressed.

Given under my hand and official seal at                 this          day of
                                         ----------------    ----------
         1998.
---------

/s/
---------------------
Notary Public

My Commission Expires:
                      -----------------

<PAGE>   4


                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     NHP REALTY FUND I LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS

         THAT I, the undersigned member of the Board of Directors of National
Corporation for Housing Partnerships, hereby make, constitute and appoint Troy
D. Butts, Chief Financial Officer of NCHP, my attorney-in-fact, with full power
of substitution, in my name, place and stead to execute and sign my name upon
and documents, paper releases, consents and the like, including federal and
state securities registration statements and amendments and Form 10-K annual
reports and other post-sale and periodic reports pertaining to NHP Realty Fund
I Limited Partnership as may be appropriate.

         IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal on the date
set forth below.

Date:    3-30-99                                   /s/  Roberta Ujakovich
     -----------                                  -----------------------
                                                  SIGNATURE

State of District of Columbia

County of
         ------------------

Before me,                , on this day personally appeared Roberta Ujakovich
          ----------------                                  -----------------
known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed in the foregoing
instrument, and who, after being duly sworn, stated that the content of said
instrument is to the best of his knowledge and belief true and correct, and who
acknowledged that he executed same for the purposes therein expressed.

Given under my hand and official seal at                 this          day of
                                         ----------------    ----------
         1998.
---------


/s/
-------------------
Notary Public

My Commission Expires:
                      -----------------