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Document And Entity Information
 3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2012
Mar. 06, 2012
Common Class B [Member]
Mar. 06, 2012
Common Class A [Member]
Entity Registrant Name HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC    
Document Type 10-Q    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --10-31    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   14,660,059 84,416,927
Amendment Flag false    
Entity Central Index Key 0000357294    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Document Period End Date Jan. 31, 2012    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2012    
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1