8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): Apirl 15, 2006

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware	1-8551	22-1851059
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
10 Highway 35, P.O. Box 500 Red Bank, New Jersey 07701
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(732) 747-7800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

oWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

oSoliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02.Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

On April 18, 2006, Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release regarding the passing of
Geaton A. DeCesaris, Jr., a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit 99.1 Press Release Dated April 18, 2006.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
	(Registrant)
	By:	/s/	Paul W. Buchanan
		Name:	Paul W. Buchanan
		Title:	Senior Vice President – Corporate Controller
Date:  April 18, 2006

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1	Press Release Dated April 18, 2006.

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. News Release

Contact:	Kevin C. Hake	Jeffrey T. O’Keefe
	Senior Vice President and Treasurer	Director of Investor Relations
	732-747-7800	732-747-7800

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES MOURNS LOSS OF BOARD MEMBER

GEATON A. DECESARIS, JR.

RED BANK, NJ, April 18, 2006 –Geaton A. DeCesaris, Jr., President of Hovnanian Land Investment Group and a member of the Board of Directors of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: HOV), died on Saturday, April 15, 2006 of complications related to lung cancer. He was 50 years old.

Mr. DeCesaris, Jr. was previously President of Homebuilding Operations and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Washington Homes, Inc., until 2001 when Washington Homes merged with Hovnanian Enterprises.

“All of our associates mourn this tragic loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with Geaton’s wife, JoAnn, and his family. Our deepest sympathies go out to them,” commented Ara Hovnanian, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. “Geaton had incredible success at an early age, leaving his mark on our Company and every organization he touched. He was a great individual and a great friend. We will miss him dearly.”

About Hovnanian Enterprises

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., founded in 1959 by Kevork S. Hovnanian, Chairman, is headquartered in Red Bank, New Jersey. Additional information on Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. can be accessed through the “Investor Relations” section of Hovnanian Enterprises’ website at http://www.khov.com.

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