Yes you could build a safe home for the same price or less. It might not be as big or have as many ammenities, but it would be safe.
Also $24,000 may be for the unit itself, it does not include the cost of tranportation, permits and fees, and supports or ties downs on the site. Also, you are renting the land most probably.
So for comparable costs, you could build a small safe home on a small lot for the same money.
You may not have community ammenities like a pool or clubhouse ... but this is what I mean. All these things are TRADE - OFFS for safety. People are simply gambling that their number won't come up .... or that someone will come along to bail them out financially if it does, assuming they survive.
It's borrowing from Peter to pay Paul, our national mentality.
I see from your profile you are from Hawaii. Are you a contractor? Builder? Realtor? What do you think a "Safe" home would cost to build? Just for fun, lets say 1000 sq feet. No permits, land costs or fees just raw materials. Simple concrete slab with either a block or wood framed structure. I have to go for the evening, I have a home to build tomorrow but I will await your answer.