Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	May. 31, 2016
Common Class B [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		15,317,869
Common Class A [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		131,802,260
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 Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false