Exhibit 23.1

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related prospectus of Hovnanian
Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company") for the registration of 2,208,738 shares of
its Class A common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated December 11, 2001, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of the Company included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended October 31, 2001, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.






                                                  /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York
March 13, 2002