Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2021	Oct. 31, 2020
ASSETS
Assets	$ 2,337,988	$ 1,827,342
Assets	2,337,988	1,827,342
Deferred tax assets, net	459,186	0
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Senior notes and credit facilities (net of discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs)	1,429,324	1,431,110
Liabilities	2,265,274	2,263,436
Liabilities	2,265,274	2,263,436
Income taxes payable	2,588	3,832
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value - authorized 100,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,600 shares with a liquidation preference of $140,000 at April 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020	135,299	135,299
Paid in capital - common stock	719,347	718,110
Accumulated deficit	(667,410)	(1,175,045)
Treasury stock - at cost – 470,430 shares of Class A common stock and 27,669 shares of Class B common stock at April 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020	(115,360)	(115,360)
Total Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. stockholders’ equity (deficit)	71,943	(436,929)
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	771	835
Total equity (deficit)	72,714	(436,094)
Total liabilities and equity	2,337,988	1,827,342
Common Class A [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Common stock	60	60
Common Class B [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Common stock	7	7
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	218,321	262,489
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	12,753	14,731
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	1,029,089	921,594
Land and land options held for future development or sale	102,370	91,957
Consolidated inventory not owned	125,414	182,224
Total inventories	1,256,873	1,195,775
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	112,505	103,164
Receivables, deposits and notes, net	34,102	33,686
Property, plant and equipment, net	17,828	18,185
Prepaid expenses and other assets	56,712	58,705
Assets	1,709,094	1,686,735
Assets	1,709,094	1,686,735
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	379,381	359,274
Customers’ deposits	65,930	48,286
Liabilities from inventory not owned, net of debt issuance costs	90,430	131,204
Senior notes and credit facilities (net of discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs)	1,429,324	1,431,110
Accrued Interest	35,321	35,563
Liabilities	2,114,247	2,140,559
Liabilities	2,114,247	2,140,559
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Inventory [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Secured Debt, Total	113,861	135,122
Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	4,117
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	36,449
Assets	169,708	140,607
Assets	169,708	140,607
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities	148,439	119,045
Liabilities	$ 148,439	$ 119,045