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Document And Entity Information
 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2014
Sep. 02, 2014
Common Class A [Member]
Sep. 02, 2014
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Registrant Name HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC    
Document Type 10-Q    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --10-31    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   131,075,800 14,805,795
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 Jul. 31, 2014    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2014    
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3