Note 14 - Per Share Calculation (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Numerator:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Hovnanian	$ 17,105	$ 8,466	$ (15,320)	$ (1,524)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares	(386)	(15)
Numerator for basic earnings per share	16,719	8,451	(15,320)	(1,524)
Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares	386	15
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to nonvested shares	(386)	(15)
Plus: interest on Senior Exchangeable Notes	879	893
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ 17,598	$ 9,344	$ (15,320)	$ (1,524)
Denominator for basic earnings per share (in Shares)	146,365	146,056	146,223	144,840
Share-based payments (in Shares)	756	1,610
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted-average shares outstanding (in Shares)	162,278	162,823	146,223	144,840
Basic earnings per share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.11	$ 0.06	$ (0.10)	$ (0.01)
Diluted earnings per share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.11	$ 0.06	$ (0.10)	$ (0.01)
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Numerator:
Senior Exchangeable Notes (in Shares)	15,157	15,157