Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2019	Aug. 30, 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
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		5,324,784
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		622,780