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Document And Entity Information - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2019
Dec. 13, 2019
Apr. 30, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Registrant Name HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC    
Entity Central Index Key 0000357294    
Trading Symbol hov    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --10-31    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Public Float     $ 73,971,400
Entity Shell Company false    
Document Type 10-K    
Document Period End Date Oct. 31, 2019    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Amendment Flag false    
Title of 12(b) Security Class A Common Stock $0.01 par value per share    
Common Class A [Member]      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)   5,503,301  
Common Class B [Member]      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)   622,690