Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 282,385	$ 367,180
Total assets	1,697,760	1,817,560
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Senior notes	827,696	711,585
Accrued interest	34,896	23,968
Total notes payable	1,663,256	1,640,315
Income taxes payable	35,782	17,910
Total liabilities	2,097,118	2,155,498
Preferred stock, $.01 par value - authorized 100,000 shares; Issued 5,600 shares with a liquidation preference of $140,000 at July 31, 2011 and at October 31, 2010	135,299	135,299
Paid in capital - common stock	590,592	463,908
Accumulated deficit	(1,011,158)	(823,419)
Treasury stock - at cost	(115,257)	(115,257)
Total Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. stockholders’ equity deficit	(399,456)	(338,568)
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	98	630
Total equity deficit	(399,358)	(337,938)
Total liabilities and equity	1,697,760	1,817,560
Nonrecourse Land Mortgages [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Secured debt	23,583	4,313
Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured ByOperating Properties [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Secured debt	19,981	20,657
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Secured debt	786,214	784,592
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	273,443	359,124
Restricted cash	79,069	108,983
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	714,984	591,729
Land and land options held for future development or sale	307,427	348,474
Specific performance options	2,619	21,065
Variable interest entities		32,710
Other options		7,962
Total consolidated inventory not owned	2,619	61,737
Total inventories	1,025,030	1,001,940
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	62,493	38,000
Receivables, deposits, and notes	48,783	61,023
Property, plant, and equipment – net	55,531	62,767
Prepaid expenses and other assets	84,725	83,928
Total assets	1,629,074	1,715,765
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities from inventory not owned	2,619	53,249
Total liabilities	342,345	407,488
Accounts payable and other liabilities	280,672	319,749
Customers’ deposits	15,490	9,520
Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	8,942	8,056
Restricted cash	4,214	4,022
Mortgage loans held for sale	53,198	86,326
Other assets	2,332	3,391
Total assets	68,686	101,795
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total liabilities	55,735	89,785
Accounts payable and other liabilities	14,076	16,142
Mortgage warehouse line of credit	41,659	73,643
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Senior subordinated notes		120,170
TEU Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Senior subordinated notes	14,450
Common Class A [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Common stock	915	748
Common Class B [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Common stock	$ 153	$ 153