XML 61 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.2.0.727
Document And Entity Information - shares
 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2015
Sep. 03, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Registrant Name HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC  
Document Type 10-Q  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --10-31  
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, 2015  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2015  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Common Class B [Member]    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   14,985,099
Common Class A [Member]    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   131,532,118