Note 1 - Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	1. Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation - The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and include Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.’s (“HEI”) accounts and those of all its consolidated subsidiaries, after elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions. HEI’s fiscal year ends October 31. Noncontrolling interest represents the proportionate equity interest in a consolidated joint venture that is not 100% owned by the Company. One of HEI's subsidiaries owns a 99% controlling interest in the consolidated joint venture and therefore HEI is required to consolidate the joint venture within its Consolidated Financial Statements. The 1% that we do not own is accounted for as noncontrolling interest. Reverse Stock Split – As discussed in Note 14, in March 2019, the Company's stockholders approved and the Board of Directors determined to effectuate a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the Company’s common stock at a ratio of 1-for-25, and a corresponding decrease in the number of authorized shares of the common stock. The Reverse Stock Split became effective on March 29, 2019, and every 25 issued shares (including treasury shares) of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), were combined into one share of Class A Common Stock, and every 25 issued shares (including treasury shares) of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”), were combined into one share of Class B Common Stock. All share and per share amounts throughout this report have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2020

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

1. Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation - The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and include Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.’s (“HEI”) accounts and those of all its consolidated subsidiaries, after elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions. HEI’s fiscal year ends October 31. Noncontrolling interest represents the proportionate equity interest in a consolidated joint venture that is not 100% owned by the Company. One of HEI's subsidiaries owns a 99% controlling interest in the consolidated joint venture and therefore HEI is required to consolidate the joint venture within its Consolidated Financial Statements. The 1% that we do not own is accounted for as noncontrolling interest.

Reverse Stock Split – As discussed in Note 14, in March 2019, the Company's stockholders approved and the Board of Directors determined to effectuate a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the Company’s common stock at a ratio of 1-for-25, and a corresponding decrease in the number of authorized shares of the common stock. The Reverse Stock Split became effective on March 29, 2019, and every 25 issued shares (including treasury shares) of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), were combined into one share of Class A Common Stock, and every 25 issued shares (including treasury shares) of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”), were combined into one share of Class B Common Stock. All share and per share amounts throughout this report have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.