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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BFFJoF1NwexA5XjY++h/R8WZ02EfkoO5IW957y4TPICRiVGTV2kunwJ+r2HvsngP
 pQD3SRBzfO9w218mo4LOkQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001045867-04-000005.txt : 20040126
<SEC-HEADER>0001045867-04-000005.hdr.sgml : 20040126
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040126145909
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001045867-04-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040123
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040126

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000357294
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OPERATIVE BUILDERS [1531]
		IRS NUMBER:				221851059
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10 HWY 35
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 500
		CITY:			RED BANK
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07701
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7327477800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10 HWY 35 PO BOX 500
		STREET 2:		10 HWY 35 PO BOX 500
		CITY:			RED BANK
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07701

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DECESARIS GEATON A JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001045867

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08551
		FILM NUMBER:		04543212

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1802 BRIGHTSEAT
		CITY:			LANDOVER
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20785
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3017728900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1802 BRIGHTSEAT
		CITY:			LANDOVER
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20785
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-23</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000357294</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HOV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001045867</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DECESARIS GEATON A JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10 HIGHWAY 35</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RED BANK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07701</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to Purchase Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>78.67</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-01-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option vests in four equal annual installments beginning on January 23, 2005.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Not applicable.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Nancy A. Marrazzo</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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