XML 19 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.6.0.2
Document And Entity Information - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2016
Dec. 14, 2016
Apr. 30, 2016
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 Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Public Float     $ 199,859,246
Document Type 10-K    
Document Period End Date Oct. 31, 2016    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Amendment Flag false    
Common Class B [Member]      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)   15,251,061  
Common Class A [Member]      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)   132,046,012