XML 17 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.3.1.900
Document And Entity Information - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2015
Dec. 14, 2015
Apr. 30, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Registrant Name HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC    
Trading Symbol hov    
Document Type 10-K    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --10-31    
Entity Public Float     $ 373,542,676
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 Oct. 31, 2015    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2015    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Common Class B [Member]      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   14,985,081  
Common Class A [Member]      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   131,532,118