Note 14 - Per Share Calculations (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Numerator:
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Hovnanian	$ (7,902)	$ 1,318	$ (32,425)	$ (9,990)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares		(2)
Numerator for basic earnings per share	(7,902)	1,316	(32,425)	(9,990)
Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares		2
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to nonvested shares		(2)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ (7,902)	$ 1,316	$ (32,425)	$ (9,990)
Denominator for basic earnings per share (in Shares)	146,325	145,948	146,151	144,373
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share based payments (in Shares)		1,283
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted average shares outstanding (in Shares)	146,325	147,231	146,151	144,373
Basic earnings per share (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.01	$ (0.22)	$ (0.07)
Diluted earnings per share (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.01	$ (0.22)	$ (0.07)

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

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Net Income or Loss Available to Common Stockholders plus adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive convertible securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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Earnings allocated (not distributed) to participating securities under the two-class method to the extent that participating securities may share in earnings as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed.

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The earnings that is allocated to common stock and participating securities to the extent that each security may share in earnings as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed. Includes the adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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