EXHIBIT 24


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that each of the undersigned  directors or
officers  of  Washington  Homes,  Inc.,  a  Maryland  corporation,  does  hereby
constitute  and  appoint  Geaton A.  DeCesaris,  Jr.  his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent,  with full power to act,  for him or her, in his or
her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any and all acts and
things and execute any and all  instruments  which said  attorney  and agent may
deem necessary or desirable to enable  Washington Homes, Inc. to comply with the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended,  and any rules,  regulations  and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange  Commission in respect  thereof,  in
connection with the filing with said Commission of an Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999; but without  limiting the generality of
the foregoing,  power and authority to sign the name of the  undersigned to such
Report, and any and all amendments thereto, and to any instruments and documents
filed as part of or in connection  with such Report or amendments  thereto;  and
the  undersigned  hereby  ratifies and confirms all that said attorney and agent
shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the  undersigned  has  subscribed  to  these
presents as of the 22nd day of October, 1999.



/s/ GEATON A. DECESARIS, SR.                        /s/ PAUL C. SUKALO
- ----------------------------                        ----------------------------
Geaton A. DeCesaris, Sr.                            Paul C. Sukalo


/s/ THOMAS CONNELLY                                 /s/ RICHARD S. FRARY
- ----------------------------                        ----------------------------
Thomas Connelly                                     Richard S. Frary


/s/ CLAYTON MILLER                                  /s/ CHRISTOPHER SPENDLEY
- ----------------------------                        ----------------------------
Clayton Miller                                      Christopher Spendley


/s/ RICHARD B. TALKIN                               /s/ THOMAS J. PELLERITO
- ----------------------------                        ----------------------------
Richard B. Talkin                                   Thomas J. Pellerito


/s/ RONALD M. SHAPIRO
- ----------------------------
Ronald M. Shapiro