XML 18 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.20.4
Document And Entity Information - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2020
Dec. 11, 2020
Apr. 30, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Central Index Key 0000357294    
Entity Registrant Name HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC    
Amendment Flag false    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --10-31    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2020    
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Period End Date Oct. 31, 2020    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity File Number 1-8551    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE    
Entity Tax Identification Number 22-1851059    
Entity Address, Address Line One 90 Matawan Road, Fifth Floor    
Entity Address, City or Town Matawan    
Entity Address, State or Province NJ    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code  07747    
City Area Code 732    
Local Phone Number 747-7800    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Public Float     $ 64,080,000
Common Class B [Member]      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   622,201  
Common Class A [Member]      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Title of 12(b) Security Class A Common Stock $0.01 par value per share    
Trading Symbol HOV    
Security Exchange Name NYSE    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   5,520,359  
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Title of 12(b) Security Depositary Shares each representing 1/1,000th of a share of 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock    
Trading Symbol HOVNP    
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ    
Preferred Stock [Member]      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Title of 12(b) Security Preferred Stock Purchase Rights(1)    
Trading Symbol N/A    
Security Exchange Name NYSE