Document And Entity Information - shares		6 Months Ended
		Apr. 30, 2024	May 28, 2024
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		2024
Document Type		10-Q
Document Quarterly Report		true
Document Period End Date		Apr. 30, 2024
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
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	[1]	Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Security Exchange Name		NYSE
No Trading Symbol Flag		true
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			676,175
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			5,316,323
Depository Shares [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

[1] Each share of Common Stock includes an associated Preferred Stock Purchase Right. Each Preferred Stock Purchase Right initially represents the right, if such Preferred Stock Purchase Right becomes exercisable, to purchase from the Company one ten-thousandth of a share of its Series B Junior Preferred Stock for each share of Common Stock. The Preferred Stock Purchase Rights currently cannot trade separately from the underlying Common Stock.