Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Jun. 03, 2019
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 Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		622,788
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		5,316,396