Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2020	Mar. 02, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000357294
Trading Symbol	hov
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock $0.01 par value per share
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		5,506,301
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		624,486