Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2021	Jun. 01, 2021
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000357294
Entity Registrant Name	HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-8551
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	22-1851059
Entity Address, Address Line One	90 Matawan Road, 5th Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	Matawan
Entity Address, State or Province	NJ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	07747
City Area Code	732
Local Phone Number	747-7800
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		629,885
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Trading Symbol	HOV
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		5,562,840
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Depositary Shares each representing 1/1,000th of a share of 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock
Trading Symbol	HOVNP
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Preferred Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock Purchase Rights(1)
Trading Symbol	N/A
Security Exchange Name	NYSE